Te Akau Targets Group 1's Trans Tasman

Te Akau Racing is looking forward to contesting two Group One races on Saturday, at Ellerslie and Caulfield (Melbourne), along with other Group & Listed races.

Quintessa (5 m Shamus Award – Chaquinta, by by High Chaparral) kept her unbeaten fresh-up record intact with a stunning victory in the Group 1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie, to record her second Group One victory, and contests the $550,000 Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m).

Solidly supported in betting, $6.50 & $2.10 fixed odds on the NZ TAB, victory would also provide stable rider Opie Bosson with his 100th Group One win. 

Owned by the Te Akau Awarded Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Quintessa was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM as a yearling for $170,000 at the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Wentwood Grange, and has earnings now of over $1 million. 

On Caulfield Cup Day in Melbourne, Chateau Eze (3 f Frankel – Antibes, by Lonhro) contests the A$1.5 million Group 1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) and will be ridden by former Te Akau apprentice, and now senior rider, Daniel Stackhouse. A debut winner in September over 1200 metres, she stepped up with a very good second in the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield and has the ability to really make her presence felt despite drawing barrier 11 in the 12 horse field – NZ TAB fixed odds: $20.00 & $4.50.

Bred in the purple, Chateau Eze was bred and owned by John Camilleri. Not only did Camilleri breed the incomparable Winx (Street Cry), winner of 25 Group One races, but he also bred Group 1 Golden Slipper winner and sire Vancouver (Medaglia d’Oro). 

At the same meeting, debut winner Mcwoody (3 c Alabama Express – Queen Ouija, by Street Cry) contests the A$240,000 Group 3 Sportsbet Classic (2000m), for owners Ms R A McDonald & Divitiae Racing (Mgr: J Lynn). He has drawn six of eight runners and has the services of Patrick Moloney – NZ TAB fixed odds: $23.00 & $4.60.

Future Frankie (3 f Frankel – Mirai E, by Deep Impact), a filly bred to stay owned by Ozzie Kheir, contests the A$240,000 Group 3 Schweppes Ethereal Stakes (2000m) for three-year-old fillies – by the highest rated sire in the world, Frankel (Galileo). She debuted stylishly for third, is drawn to be dangerous (2) in a 13 horse field, and also has Daniel Stackhouse engaged. She currently she sits at $15.00 & $3.90 NZ TAB fixed odds.

For owner Elizabeth Geard Racing, and having her first start for Te Akau trainer Mark Walker in the A$300,000 Group 2 Herald Sun Sprint (1000m), Geegees Mistruth (4 m Wordsmith – Miss Mana, by Jetball) has a good fresh-up record and six wins to 1400 metres, from 12 starts. Drawn well (6) in a field of nine starters, Patrick Moloney has is aboard an underrated mare who could well surprise  – NZ TAB fixed odds: $31.00 & $5.50.

In addition to Quintessa at Ellerslie, beautifully bred filly Queen’s Evidence (3 f King’s Legacy – Enjay, by High Chaparral) contests the $175,000 Group 2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m). 

Already twice stakes' placed, she is owned by the Te Akau Lineage Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), and was purchased for $220,000 by David Ellis CNZM, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, at the 2024 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

She looked good during an exhibition gallop last Friday at Taupo, and is drawn (5) to be competitive in an even field – Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.00.