Te Akau Racing Takes On Taupo

As we build towards spring, the Te Akau team recently headed south for a gallop on Taupo Racing Club’s beautiful grass surface - a valuable opportunity to give the horses a change of scenery, a day away from home and some quality work under their belts. We invite you to the day out with trainer Sam Bergerson.

Eight horses made the trip for Champion Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, working in pairs under Opie Bosson and Michael McNab as their preparations for the new season continue to gather momentum.

System Of Play and No Curfew worked together over 1000 metres.

System Of Play (3 c Ole Kirk – Statuesquely, by Medaglia d’Oro) created a strong impression when winning his only start as a two-year-old over 1200 metres at Te Rapa. The promising colt has returned in good order and continues to build towards an exciting spring campaign.

No Curfew (3 g Vanbrugh – Supreme, by Falkirk) remains unraced but has continued to progress well through his trials and trackwork. He travelled comfortably during his recent Te Rapa trial and appears to have further improvement to come as he moves closer to his debut.

Born To Be Royal and Sword Of Stars also worked over 1000 metres.

A 2000-metre winner and dual Group Two placegetter, Born To Be Royal (4 m King’s Legacy – Fatal Rendezvous, by All American) has already established valuable credentials. Following her Taupo gallop, she resumed with an encouraging fourth over 1500 metres at Te Rapa and will appreciate stepping up in distance as her preparation progresses.

Sword Of Stars (3 f Sword Of State – Angelica Hall, by Guillotine) was placed in two of her three starts as a juvenile. A daughter of Te Akau-trained Champion Two-Year-Old Sword Of State, she continues to develop as she prepares for her three-year-old season.

Avantaggia and Pilates stretched out together over 800 metres.

The first foal from Te Akau’s nine-time Group One winner Avantage, Avantaggia (4 m Wootton Bassett – Avantage, by Fastnet Rock) has continued to establish her own identity on the track. She has won three of her six starts and returned to the stable in excellent order following a highly encouraging previous campaign.

Pilates (4 m Savabeel – Splits, by O’Reilly) displayed considerable promise during her first preparation, stylishly winning two trials before producing a strong debut performance for third. With further maturity on her side, she is another mare the team is looking forward to seeing return to the races.

Completing the Taupo team were Charmrose and Thumbelina, who worked together over 800 metres.

Five-time winner Charmrose (6 m Charm Spirit – Sovereign Rose, by Pins) was the leading New Zealand earner for her sire last season. Tough, genuine and experienced, she continues to prepare well for her return.

Thumbelina (4 m Per Incanto – Matauri, by Ocean Park) made excellent progress through her previous campaign, ending the season with consecutive victories. She has returned a stronger and more mature mare, with the Taupo outing another important step towards her fresh-up assignment.

Away trips such as this provide valuable experience beyond the physical work itself, giving horses the opportunity to travel, settle into unfamiliar surroundings and work on a different surface.

A big thank you to the team at Taupo Racing Club for allowing us to use its fantastic facilities and for the warm hospitality extended to our horses and team, including morning tea!

The Spring build-up continues, and we are looking forward to seeing these horses progress over the coming weeks.