Te Akau Season - Stakes' Win 4 (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 has a long and proud history of winning major races in the South Island - we were the first major northern stable to establish a permanent stable in the south - our southern stable is flying and under Hunter Durrant (and Ashley Handley), is making a major contribution to Te Akau’s season of success. The first southern stakes’ win continued the impact the stable has had in this particular race …

Viva Vienna (3 f All Too Hard – Anna of Austria, by Snitzel) became the fifth $80,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes’ (Listed, 1200m) winner for Te Akau, on 16 September at Riccarton.

Having resumed with a defiant victory in the 3YO 1000 metres on the course a fortnight earlier, Viva Vienna again had to pull out all stops in order to peg back courageous pacemaker Illicit Dreams ridden by former Te Akau apprentice Tegan Newman.

Combining again with jockey Sam Weatherley, Viva Vienna drew the coveted barrier one and began swiftly before steadying to trail. Pocketed for a time inside the 400m, she was clear to challenge a furlong out and really dug in over the concluding stages to claim victory. 

“We knew she’d jump well and put herself there, and taking a sit was probably the winning of the race,” said co-trainer Sam Bergerson, from the course. 

“She got a breather in behind the leader and came off her back. It was a really good ride. 

“She was strong to the line and tough effort by a tough filly.”

Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM for $100,000 at the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Wesbury Stud, and owned by Te Akau Empress Of Austria Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Viva Vienna took her record to four wins from seven starts. 

Sharing in her ownership are veterinarians Dr. Douglas Black and Dr. Ronan Costello, who work closely with Te Akau Racing.

The sire of Viva Vienna, All Too Hard (Casino Prince) is a half-brother to the unbeaten champion mare Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), winner of all 25 starts, including 15 Group Ones, and sire of Queensland Horse of the Year Alligator Blood. 

Winning three times as a two-year-old, All Too Hard won three Group One races over 1400 metres in Australia: All Aged Stakes, Futurity Stakes, and the C. F. Orr Stakes.

Vivia Vienna’s dam-sire Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) is one of three in the trilogy of breed shaping champion stallions in Australia, along with forefathers Danehill (Danzig), and Redoute’s Choice (Danehill).

A two-time Champion Sire of Two-Year-Olds in Australia, Snitzel equalled then surpassed Danehill with his record number of individual two-year-old winners in a season – a mark that now stands at 35. He has also headed the General Sires’ List twice and Australian Champion Sire in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Back in training at Matamata, Viva Vienna is scheduled to trial on Thursday 4 July at Waipa. 

Te Akau's previous wins in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m):

2022 – One Kiss (Tivaci)

2014 – Darci’s Dream (Darci Brahma) 

2015 – Windborne (Darci Brahma)

2005 – Shikoba (Chief Bearhart)