Te Akau Season - Stakes' Win 24 (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.

One of Te Akau’s ‘gentlemen’ in the stable is Perfect Scenario - he's a grand campaigner who also seems to ‘grow another leg’ when he is in residence in our South Island stable!

We were hugely proud of him when he returned south to defend his Group 3 White Robe Lodge crown, and achieve the back to back titles in consummate fashion …

Given a super ride, Perfect Scenario (6 g Iffraaj – Rosetti Bay, by Pins) defended his title in the $120,000 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 3 February at Wingatui.

After running fastest last 600m (34.1) when winning the Open Handicap 1400 metres on 13 January at Wingatui, in a perfect lead-up performance, Perfect Scenario rated a top three chance from barrier five, having come from last with a devastating finish to win the corresponding event last year.

After winning the previous race on stable-mate Kith ‘n’ Kin (Almanzor), stable apprentice Niranjan Parmar remained in the zone with another top ride.

Ideally spotted in fourth, Perfect Scenario cruised into contention approaching the home turn and gathered in the leaders with a strong and well-timed finish in centre track.

Perfect Scenario was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $165,000 at 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Woburn Farm, for owners in the Te Akau Perfection Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), and his nine wins have accumulated $366,000 in prize money. 

“It’s very exciting to see this horse win such a prestigious race two years running and congratulations to the owners, they have enjoyed so many thrills with him,” Ellis said.

“He won very well under a big weight fresh-up at Riccarton, and might be even a little bit better and stronger this season, as a six-year-old, than he was last year.

“He was bred by Liz Pollard and Gloria Graydon and they’re a couple of really good breeders from Te Awamutu and Joe Pollard, Liz's father, was also a good breeder. That family has consistently bred good horses for the last 50 years.

“We’ve had a fantastic day with three wins including two Group races, plus stakes' placed horses in Group races, so we could not be happier.

“Perfect Scenario added to the Group Three win by Captured By Love at New Plymouth, and we were thrilled to see the homebred mare Elegant Lady run so well for second in the Dunedin Gold Cup (Listed, 2400m), and Sense Of Timing (Time Test) finish third in the Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1500m). 

“Mark, Sam, and Reece are doing a great job placing the horses in races where they have the best chance of winning and the horses are racing so well.

“Perfect Scenario was fourth in the Group One mile at Otaki, after he won this race last year and he’s shown just what a good horse he is with nine wins in total.

“He won very well last start there on the course at Wingatui, and it’s a great training effort by Mark, Sam, and Hunter, to have him peaking at the right time.

“It’s a big thrill to be winning these good races at this time of the year, especially after buying yearlings. We’ve got existing and new owners that want to be part of the team and now that we’ve got a base at Riccarton, and new stables in Melbourne, it’s a very exciting time for everyone involved. 

“It means a lot of work for everyone, but we’ve got a great team that gives it their utmost and we cannot ask for more than that.”

By incredibly influential international stallion Iffraaj (Zafonic), dam Rosetti Bay (Pins) was an impressive Group Three winner and multiple group placed mare that won eight races and already left very good stakes winning mare Queens Rose (O’Reilly) who also won eight times. 

In training at Matamata, Perfect Scenario is scheduled to trial on 13 August at Avondale. 

Te Akau previous wins in the White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (Gr. 3, 1600m):

2023 – Perfect Scenario (Iffraaj)