Te Akau Season - Stakes' Win 5 (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 southern stable, based at Riccarton in Christchurch has now become a permanent fixture.  Led by senior team member Hunter Durrant, assisted by senior team member Ashley Handley when Hunter is on leave, the stable has made a huge impression this season.  

The lead up to, and the actual NZ Cup Carnival Week itself, has long been a happy 'hunting ground' for Te Akau and this season was no different. Very quickly after Te Akau's first southern stakes’ win, came the second for the team. The Barneswood Farm Stakes is a traditional lead up to the Group 1 1000 and 2000 Guineas, and it's been dominated by the stable ...

Star Of Justice (3 f Justify – Fair Isle, by Fastnet Rock) stylishly won the $100,000 Barneswood Farm Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) on 16 October at Ashburton.

At just her third outing, having made a great start to her southern campaign when controlling the tempo to win the Maiden 1200 metres on 16 September at Riccarton, Star Of Justice got the better of stable-mate and race favourite Viva Vienna in a stirring contest.

Ridden by Matamata jockey Darren Danis, Star Of Justice jumped smartly to trail the leader Illicit Dreams, with Viva Vienna to her outside, was across heels to challenge on straightening and gained an advantage over the final 100m.

It was a compelling performance by Star Of Justice, who showed to appreciate good ground when scoring by nearly four lengths previously at Riccarton.

She became the third winner on the card for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, following On The Bubbles and Mehzebeen.

Owned by the Te Akau Fair & Just Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Star Of Justice was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $190,000 at the Karaka 2022 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Pencarrow Stud.

Star Of Justice is by recent US Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy), achieving that rare feat in 2018, from a mare by Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill).  She is closely related to the former Te Akau trained sprinter Need I Say More, who recorded six of his seven wins in stakes' races.

Like his sire Justify, No Nay Never is also by Scat Daddy, while both Need I Say More and this Star Of Justice are out of Fastnet Rock mares. 

The depth in family is enormous, with stakes' winners Miss Scarlatti (Stravinsky) and Te Akau trained dual Group Two winner Abidewithme (Redoute’s Choice) coming from her third dam Crimson (Zabeel), Third Top Filly in NZ 3YO Classifications.

Star Of Justice carries a cross to English Triple Crown winner Nijinsky, while dam Fair Isle has a Northern Dancer cross.  

Star Of Justice subsequently sold online through Gavelhouse.com for $227,500. 

Te Akau previous wins in the Barneswood Farm Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m):

2003 – King’s Chapel (King of Kings)

2005 – Sea Saint (Orpen) 

2006 – Princess Coup (Encosta de Lago)

2010 – King’s Rose (Redoute’s Choice)

2012 – Abidewithme (Redoute’s Choice)

2013 – Costa Viva (Encosta de Lago)

2020 – Cornflower Blue (Savabeel)