Te Akau Season - Stakes' Win 1 (NZ) of 30

Today is 1 July which is the final month of our phenomenal 2023/24 racing season.  

As we do at this time of the year, we will now reflect every day on our Group/Listed performers of the 'season that was' - and there were plenty!  In fact 30 across New Zealand and Australia, with nine at Group 1 level.

The season of black type success kicked off in early September as the Tycoon relived his Karaka 2YO Million form, that saw him crowned last season's Champion 2YO of the Year!

Champion Two-Year-Old Tokyo Tycoon (3 g Satono Aladdin – All About The Coin, by Starcraft) kicked off the stakes' winners this season for trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson when winning the $90,000 El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1200m) on 9 September at Hastings.

One of the best performed juveniles in recent times, on his way to securing the coveted title, Tokyo Tycoon became the seventh consecutive $1 million Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winner for Te Akau, with a stunning performance, and included the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) among four wins during the season.

With stable rider Opie Bosson ONZM aboard, Tokyo Tycoon drew the outside gate (10), received a nice cart along in eighth, was clear rounding the home turn and, after pouncing at the 200m, he waltzed clear to win by two and a quarter lengths.

Adding to a flying start (23 wins) for the stable this season, Tokyo Tycoon became the first stakes' winner for Sam Bergerson who joined 10-time Champion Trainer Mark Walker in partnership on 1 August.

“Opie summed it pretty quickly, we’d discussed that there was a lot of speed and he let them go and got a nice drag into it,” Walker said.

“He’s a workmanlike type of horse and you’d love another 20 or 30 kilos on him, but he’s a little champ.”

Owned by Meadowbank Masters Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) & Te Akau Satono Samurai Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Tokyo Tycoon, who took earnings to near $700,000, was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $125,000 at the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Rich Hill Stud.  

Son of sire sensation Deep Impact, Satono Aladdin won the highest rated mile in Japan: Tokyo Yasuda Kinen (Gr. 1, 1600m) when running an incredible 1:31.5.

All About The Coin is by New Zealand bred stallion Starcraft (Soviet Star), a world-class galloper and five-time Group One winner that claimed titles of Champion 3YO in Australia, Champion Sprinter in New Zealand, and Champion Miler in Europe.

The dam-line goes back to Champion Sire Zabeel (Sir Tristram), being out of fourth dam Lady Giselle (Nureyev). 

Tokyo Tycoon is back in work and scheduled to trial on 27 August at Waipa. 

Te Akau previous wins in the El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1200m):

2022 – Dynastic (Almanzor)