Te Akau Season - Stakes' Win 15 (NZ) of 30
Date: 15 Jul 2024
July sees the final month of our phenomenal 2023/24 racing season.
As we like to do at this time of the year, we 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.
Te Akau’s South Island operation has proved a vital cog in the stable’s winning success for the season - thanks to the leadership of Hunter Durrant, and Ashley Handley during Hunter’s leave periods. The Riccarton based team as done a wonderful job with our southern-based horses, contributing over 60 wins to the season tally.
Being based in the south also enabled a number of horses to secure valuable black type including Ocean Park mare Kai - her Boxing Day stakes’ win a huge boost for her residual value when it comes time for her to take on broodmare duties …
Adding significantly to her value, Kai (5 m Ocean Park – Brilliant Blush, by Testa Rossa) won the $80,000 Property Brokers – Ray Kean Hazlett Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on Boxing Day at Wingatui.
Kai was freshened after winning her previous start, where, parading in great order she sprinted home unrelentingly in the Rating 75 1300 metres on 21 October at Te Rapa, after being hemmed up before closing strongly for fifth to winning stable-mate Petrucci (I Am Invincible) in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 7 October at Matamata.
Petrucci then continued her good form with a resounding victory in the $80,000 Rating 75 1200 metres on Boxing Day at Pukekohe.
Ridden by experienced South Island jockey Kylie Williams, who recorded her 28th stakes' win, Kai drew the outside (13), travelled back and wide, but responded when asked at the 200m and made light work of the heavy ground to engulf her rivals.
“I thought it was a really good ride by Kylie (Williams) and as it turned out the barrier draw (13) probably helped in the end,” said co-trainer Mark Walker.
“She got out into the better part of the track and we’ve seen her finish like that before on rain-affected going.
“She’s not very big, but gutsy and really attacks the line if she gets a run to suit. She tries her heart out and gives one-hundred percent every time.
“So, she’s now a listed race winner and that will really add to her broodmare value with that black type win.”
In training for Jamie and Chanel Beatson (Ohukia Lodge), Tom Duncan, Harvey Frame, Daniel and James Worker, Kai is by Ocean Park (Thorn Park), who won five Group One races, including the Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m), and continues perform as a stallion at Waikato Stud. He has already sired nearly 800 winners, 42 stakes' winners, including nine at Group One level.
Incredibly consistent and honest, Kai enhanced her record to five wins, six seconds, and seven thirds, from 24 starts.