Te Akau Strikes Black Type

Windborne (2 f Darci Brahma - Sweet Dreams Baby, by Van Nistelrooy) showed just how well she acts fresh when claiming her second stakes win, in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on Saturday at Riccarton.

Although Fortuna Syndications boss John Galvin, who bought the filly for $100,000 from the draft of Goodwood Stud at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling sale, had some reservations given the 237 days break.

“My only concern was that she was coming into this race with just an exhibition gallop last Saturday at Ashburton, having not raced since the Karaka Million in January, but what a great training feat by Steve and Jamie.

On footing rated Dead4, Windborne travelled beautifully in the trail and never went round a horse as she proceeded to race away for a three-length win in 1:10.8, last 600m in 34.5, for the 1200 metres.

“She presented in perfect condition,” said Galvin. “Instructions to the rider (Rosie Myers) from her trainers were to let her sit in behind the speed [from barrier one], as we thought Dezzies Dream would lead. Wait for the opportunity in the straight and let her show her turn of foot and she was ridden to those instructions, and won the race convincingly in the end.

“So, she franked her two-year-old form well and truly,” said Galvin, of the filly that last October scored a smart debut win over 880-metres at Ellerslie, before an impressive Murdoch Newell Stakes (Listed, 1100m) victory in November at Avondale.

Galvin had also purchased her year older sister Darci's Dream to win the Canterbury Belle last season, and this year bought a half-brother by Alamosa (O'Reilly).

Also trained by Te Akau, Shikoba (Chief Bearhart) won the race in 2005 before going on to be amongst one of five Te Akau fillies crowned New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year.

“She was a filly that from the day she was born always looked a standout,” said David Ellis, who bred Windborne with Karyn Fenton-Ellis.

“We sent her to the sales and John Galvin very astutely bought her for what has proved to be great value, and she will win a lot more races.

“She is yet another great example of what a great sire Darci Brahma (Danehill) really is,” said Ellis. “His progeny win three-year-old races at 1200 metres, a mile, he's won two Oaks - one in Australia and one in New Zealand - and he's just a fantastic sire.

“People should be sending a mare to him this year as he's the second best stallion in New Zdealand, behind Savabeel (Zabeel). Savabeel stands at $100,000 and Darci stands at $20,000."

Windborne provided training partners Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards with their second stakes success, after one of the first runners, Stella Di Paco (Paco Boy) took out the Castletown Stakes (Listed, 1200m) three months ago, and there appears plenty of firepower within the ranks to keep extending that record.

The win promoted Autridge/Richards to second equal on the training premiership, with eight wins in the first seven weeks of the season.

Not to be overshadowed, the performances by stable-mates Princess Davone (Iffraaj) and Special Memories (Fastnet Rock), for third and sixth respectively, also had plenty of merit. An impressive course/distance maiden winner a fortnight earlier, Princess Davone was widest of all around the home bend and kept closing the gap with a powerful run under David Walsh. Special Memories was steadied to last off the outside gate by Cameron Lammas and should keep improving with further racing.

“That was bloody good,” said Richards, who along with assistant trainer Pam Gerard put the polish on the fillies through the week at Riccarton.

“I talked to Steve (Autridge) and our plan, looking to a mile with this filly, was to get in behind the speed and everything worked out nicely. Rosie (Myers) rode her beautifully and overall, for all three, it was very good.

“She had a bit of a puff after the race which she always does but she's one of those robust little fillies that stripped in great order and I was really pleased with what I saw when I arrived down on Tuesday.

“Doni Prastiyou has done a great job riding her in her faster work. She worked super on Thursday morning and we're thrilled with the job Pam (Gerard) and Gary (Ritchie) are doing with the team down here.

“We thought Princess Davone might land a bit handier but when she got flattened at the start Walshy went to Plan B and she got home nicely. She's still learning but looks as though she will get more ground and she could be a really nice filly after Christmas.

Providing they continue to do well, each of the three fillies could contest the Ray Coupland Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on 17 October at Ashburton, a race Te Akau has a formidable record in.

Picture credit - www.raceimages.net.nz