Te Akau Season - Stakes' Win 22 (NZ) of 30

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 track record with juveniles is second to none and rising star filly Captured By Love certainly showed she had the ability and tenacity to add not just to her own stellar 2YO record but also that of the stable ... what a season she had, and already a Group 2 winner at just her second start, she continued to add to her impressive resume ... 

Unbeaten in three starts, Captured By Love (2 f Written Tycoon – Moldova, by Snitzel) won the $100,000 Platinum Homes New Plymouth Taranaki 2YO Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 3 February at New Plymouth. 

After making a perfect start when winning on debut in the 2YO 1000 metres on 12 November at Tauherenikau, Captured By Love confirmed her class with an impressive victory in the Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m) on 9 December at Trentham, and given time (56 days) between runs by trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson she had finished strongly for second when trialling on 23 January at Taupo.

Although not appearing comfortable on unseasonal Heavy8 footing, Captured By Love was given an economical trip by Te Akau stable rider Opie Bosson ONZM and justified hot favouritism ($1.40) after toughing it out in the straight with Love Poem (Snitzel), as the pair drew five lengths clear of their rivals. 

“She’s a beautiful filly that Dave (Ellis) bought on the Gold Coast and it was a good tough win given the conditions,” Walker said.

“Interestingly, she was one of the last yearlings to fully sell last year. She’d actually trialled and there were still shares available, so it just goes to show that sometimes the last to sell turn out to be the best ones - just like Imperatriz.”

It was a strong stakes' performing week for the stable, after winning the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) with Ascend The Throne (Savabeel) at Te Rapa, while Perfect Scenario (Iffraaj) defended his title in the White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (Gr. 3, 1600m), Elegant Lady (Highly Recommended) finished second in the Dunedin Gold Cup (Listed, 2400m), and Sense Of Timing (Time Test) third in the Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1500m), all three at Wingatui.

Owned by the Te Akau 2023 Magic Fillies’ Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Captured By Love was purchased by David Ellis CNZM in January at the 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Milburn Creek.

“It’s a great time of the year to be winning Group races and a big week for some of the owners in the filly that are also in Ascend The Throne, that won the Waikato Guineas this week, so they are over the moon,” Ellis said.

“It’s the fifth time we’ve won the race and she looks a big chance in the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes.”

In work at Matamata, Captured By Love is scheduled for a jump out on 25 July.

Te Akau previous wins in the Taranaki 2YO Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m):

2022 – Maven Belle (Burgundy) 

2010 – Icepin (Pins)

2008 – Ransom Express (Red Ransom)

2005 – Kindacross (Cape Cross)