Te Akau Sharks' Uncanny Ownership Story

www.stuff.co.nz reports:

Ever hear the one about the Aussie businessman and Kiwi bloodstock mogul who meet in a Hawaii swimming pool and went on to race a horse with a rugby league legend?

Yes, we know your bad joke radars are flashing and making alarm like noises but this yarn actually carries plenty of bite, because it's true.

Mace, who resides in Cronulla, Sydney, was at Matamata along with his wife Kristy and their two children on Saturday to see Te Akau Shark - their first of now several interests with Te Akau - record an outrageously good victory.

 

That chance meeting in the pool in Hawaii led to a drink at the bar later on.

Mace mentioned he was on the lookout for a horse to race with some mates - having no idea of Ellis' background.

"I might be able to help you out with that," Ellis said.

A sceptical Mace was not convinced. "Yeah right, I bet you can," he said on Saturday of what was running through his mind at the time.

But a quick Google search of Ellis following that drink was enough for Mace to realise the bloke in the pool had some serious credentials and that is where the Te Akau Shark story really cut its teeth - in the water of course.  A visit to the Te Akau farm, a few more drinks and the deal was struck. The Maces own 35 per cent of the promising type.

Unbeaten in two starts, Te Akau Shark is now a $6 favourite for the Group I 2000 Guineas following Saturday's last to first victory but a trip to Riccarton is a possibility rather than a given.

So what's in a name?

"Steve is a sponsor and keen supporter of the Cronulla Sharks," Ellis said.

"He told me he would like to bring his mate (former New South Wales State of Origin and current Cronulla Sharks captain) Paul Gallen into the horse."

Ellis, who was last month recognised at the New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards for his outstanding contribution to New Zealand Racing, came up with the name Te Akau Shark when Gallen brought in.

Despite being three wide the entire trip on Saturday, Te Akau Shark won by two and a half lengths with Opie Bosson easing him up well before the post.  Much like his first start, he was able to circle the field from last and win with ease.

A flashy chestnut brought out of the Ready to Run sale, racing in the Te Akau colours and getting back before running around his rivals as he moves ever so quickly down a Derby path. This all sounds familiar. Gingernuts anyone?

Gallen, who will have the ninth fight of his professional boxing career at Cronulla Leagues Club on November 10, will be hoping Te Akau Shark can land a knock out blow on the Australian Derby at Randwick in April.

Ellis is optimistic Te Akau Shark could follow the successful route of stablemate Gingernuts and contest the New Zealand Derby before going onto the Australian equivalent.

"He's that sort of horse."

With his dam being from a top staying family and being good enough to contest Group I races like the Auckland Cup and Zabeel Classic as well as being a Group II winner over 2400 metres, you can see why Ellis is so confident in Te Akau Shark running out the Derby trip.  From the family of the Group I-winning mare Pondarosa Miss, Te Akau Shark, by Rip Van Winkle out of Bak Da Chief, was bred by Darrell Hollinshead. He trained and bred Pondarosa Miss in partnership with his father Peter.

Te Akau Shark, trained by Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards, over-raced in the early stages on Saturday, just like he did in his first start, but it was not enough to worry the $2 favourite. A sure sign there is plenty of improvement to come with more experience.

Team Te Akau have held a high opinion of "the shark" since Ellis purchased him from the Lyndhurst Farm draft at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale for $230,000.

Race caller George Simon was suitably impressed on Saturday.

"The race was 1400 metres but he's probably covered 1600," Simon said as Te Akau Shark crossed the line.

"He can gallop this horse. He had no luck but he's absolutely given them one," Simon enthused.

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