Te Akau Riccarton Treble & Trifecta

Capping a terrific day for the stable, Te Akau homebred French Rose (5 m Burgundy – Paraiba, by Faltaat) led home a trifecta for trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson in the $35,000 Hoteliers Challenge Rating 65 1200 metres on the middle day (7 Aug.) of Grand National week at Riccarton.

After winning earlier on the programme with Not Straight Laced and Moon Rocket, they upped the ante when the stable's three in the same race were the first three at the line.

Stymied for room following an economical trip in the Rating 65 1200 metres (poly track) on 12 July at Riccarton, French Rose was aided by drawing barrier one and premiership winning jockey Warren Kennedy was keen to make amends for the bad luck last time.

Utilizing the inside draw to secure a position trailing the leader, French Rose travelled sweetly under Kennedy turning for home and with a timely split she quickened to the lead, with stable-mate Angels Wings (Heroic Valour) for company, before sticking to her guns for a resilient victory.

From a long way back after drawing barrier 17, Alminette (Burgundy), resuming following a stylish trial win on the course, sustained a big effort to claim third.  

The margins were a half neck, by three and a quarter lengths, with French Rose running 1200 metres in 1:09.8 on the poly track and paying $8.10 & $3.20 on the NZ TAB tote. And for those that boxed all three, the trifecta was $316.60. 

“Gee, she tries hard and it was a really good win today,” said Mark Walker, from the course.

“She’s got a heart of gold, and it was a lovely ride of Warren’s to get that trip and have into the clear in plenty of time.

“She had a little bit up her sleeve, after getting the dream run from barrier one, but she really attacked the line well.

“I’d like to thank the owners, who have been very patient with her. Some horses take longer than others to mature, and they’re allowed us to give her the time. On the back of today’s win, I’d only expect her to keep improving.”

A course/distance winner at the corresponding meet last year, French Rose subsequently scored over 1200 metres in April at Timaru, and now has three wins to her credit.

Bred by Te Akau Principal David Ellis CNZM and owned by Te Akau Rose of France Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), French Rose is a sister to former stable-mate and stakes' placed winner of eight races Burgundy Rose, and like her she also appears the type the keep improving. 

French Rose is among a growing list of successful homebred fillies by Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice), whom Ellis purchased as yearling at Karaka, and obliged with five stakes' wins before becoming a successful sire that unfortunately passed in 2019.

Maven Belle and Belle En Rouge, both homebred fillies by Burgundy, have led the way. Maven Belle (ex. Doyenne, by Kilimanjaro) included the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes 1400m and the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes 1200m on her way to becoming Champion Two-Year-Old. Belle En Rouge (ex. Cavendish Belle, by Thorn Park) won the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks over 2400m and the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic 1600m on her way to tying stable-mate Self Obsession for the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year honours - taking Te Akau tally of NZB Filly of the Year winners to eight!

As a dam sire, too, Burgundy kept the Te Akau homebred flag flying when Nucleozor (2 g Almanzor – Nucleonic, by Burgundy) proved far too good in the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) last season at Riccarton, providing the stable its ninth success in the race.

Along with his homebred sister, Qali Al Farrasha (3 f Almanzor – Nucleonic, by Burgundy), who won by four lengths over 1600 metres in February at Matamata, and subsequently finished second in the Group 3 Sunline Vase and third in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks.

“The cross with Burgundy and the mare (Paraiba) has worked particularly well to produce Burgundy Rose, who was a fast and talented racehorse, and now French Rose has won three times,” Ellis said.

“Burgundy was a huge loss to the New Zealand breeding industry, after only serving a handful of crops, and given the success of his progeny he would stand at quite a high fee now.

“He was probably the fastest horse we’ve ever trained a Te Akau, a great athlete and he’s passed that on to his progeny.

“He’s a really good sire and it’s very sad that we haven’t still got him. He’s shown to leave quality horses, like himself, and very versatile with two-year-olds right through to a New Zealand Cup winner, while as a broodmare sire he’s already showing his quality with horses like Nucleozor and Qali Al Farrasha.”

French Rose was strapped by Hollie Smith. 

Photo credit - Ajay Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz