Te Akau Sets its Sights on Autumn

The Informant reports:

The powerful Te Akau Racing operation is eyeing major Group One targets on both sides of the Tasman after a dream result in Saturday's $500,000 Gr. 1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas.

Blue-blooded colt Embellish capitalised on a perfect run in the Riccarton classic to score by a length and three-quarters, with stablemates Age Of Fire and Te Akau Shark just behind him in second and fourth. The Tony Pike-trained Ever Loyal finished third, denying a Te Akau trifecta by a nose.

“It was an amazing result and those three boys really outdid themselves,” said Jamie Richards, who trains in partnership with Stephen Autridge. “I'm extremely proud of the horses and also of our whole team, who have done a wonderful job with these horses through the spring.”

Striking Savabeel colt Embellish has now had three wins and a second from his four career starts. The $775,000 yearling purchase became Te Akau's sixth winner of the 2000 Guineas, joining King's Chapel (2003), Darci Brahma (2005), Tell A Tale (2008), Rock 'N' Pop (2011) and Xtravagant (2015). The syndication juggernaut also boasts four victories in the fillies' equivalent, the New Zealand 1000 Guineas.

“This is the sort of day that you think about when you're going through all those early starts.”

The New Zealand 2000 Guineas is a race with special significance for Richards, who was born and raised in the South Island. Less than six months after beginning his training partnership with Autridge, he landed the first Group One of his career when Xtravagant romped to victory by eight lengths in race-record time two years ago. For good measure, Risque stormed home from off the pace to complete a Guineas double seven days later.

“This is the sort of day that you think about when you're going through all those early starts,” Richards said after his second 2000 Guineas victory on Saturday. “I'm still so grateful to David and the Te Akau team for giving me the greatest opportunity in my life.”

Now attention will turn to planning the rest of the season for Te Akau's 2000 Guineas heroes.

“I think all three are very exciting prospects for some big races after Christmas,” Richards said.

“The 2000 Guineas is a stallion-making race. David (Ellis) bought Embellish for that purpose and with the aim of winning that race, so the horse has made a great start along that road. Now it will be all about enhancing his value as much as we can. It'll be interesting to see how far he goes.

“The plan at the moment is to go to the Karaka Million 3YO Mile at Ellerslie (on January 27), and then potentially head across the Tasman for the Australian Guineas at Flemington.”

While Embellish was the undisputed star of Saturday's show, the connections of Age Of Fire and Te Akau Shark also have plenty to be excited about. Fastnet Rock colt Age Of Fire went back from his wide draw on Saturday and charged home from near-last. He has never been unplaced from four starts to date, while the previously unbeaten Te Akau Shark was having just the third start of his career.

“I'd say they both look like very nice New Zealand Derby prospects,” Richards said. “We'll get Age Of Fire ready for the Levin Classic at Trentham in January and then carry on towards the Derby, while I think Te Akau Shark will appreciate a bit more time and a slightly slower approach. We'll set him for the Avondale Guineas and Derby.”