Te Akau Taupo Treble - Win 3 - High Achiever

Date: 13 Sep 2020

Te Akau Taupo Treble - Win 3 - High Achiever










Securing a hat-trick of wins for trainer Jamie Richards, High Achiever  (4 g Pins - Thee Achiever, by O'Reilly) made it two from two with a fresh-up victory in the $10,000 Rating 65 1200 metres on 13 September at Taupo.





Richards had twice trained four winners on the card at Taupo, in September and December last season, and took his course record to 23 wins from 74 runners, strike rate 3.2, with a hat-trick, and second placed finish (Kahma Lass (Darci Brahma)), from four runners. 





From one of the legendary thoroughbred families in New Zealand, High Achiever had confirmed his ability with a debut win over 1200 metres in January at Te Aroha, running the fastest last 600m (34.5) on the day, and after trialling well for fourth to Group 2 winner Yearn (Savabeel) he appeared ideally placed to rate a top three chance.





Ridden by Chad Ormsby, who rallied through to midfield after being a touch slowly away, High Achiever was off the bridle as the field quickened inside the 600m but he responded gamely before drawing clear over the concluding stages. 





“That was a good win from a nice progressive horse,” Richards said. “We have always liked him and he's a product from a family that appreciates a bit of time. He's been patiently handled and he's put two together now. 





“I liked the way he finished off once he got balanced and thought he quickened in really well the last bit to win comprehensively. It was a good ride from Chad (Ormsby). We like to support people that are hard workers and Chad is certainly that. He's a very good horseman. 





“High Achiever is getting stronger in each preparation and it's not going to be easy stepping up again in grade at just his third start, but if we place him right he's the type of horse that can go on with it. The team at the Colt Barn have done a good job with him.





“It was good to get three winners on the programme from four runners. We've had a frustrating run of seconds and thirds over the weekend, but hopefully they can turn into wins in due course. 





“We bought this horse off Tony Rider (Milan Park) at Karaka, and I think he's a top breeder you will hear a lot more about in New Zealand. He's got a lovely farm, puts in a lot of time and effort and money into sourcing broodmares and investing in stallions and he deserves all the success that he gets. He's got two horses in training with us - soon to be three - and another nice Savabeel filly coming to us from the same family. So, we're really looking forward to seeing her and we've got (fresh-up winner) Miss Aotearoa running in the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) for him on Saturday at Hastings. We think she can be competitive and Tony is a lovely man to be associated with.”





On the strength of his debut win, High Achiever started a dominant $2.60 & $1.30 favourite and he clocked 1:12.1 for the 1200 metres on Dead4 footing in the race sponsored by Pitch Sports Bar & Lucky Lizard. 





Bred by the Dennis brothers (Tony, Joe, Martin and Ray Dennis) and owned by the Te Akau High Achievers Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), High Achiever was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $100,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the Milan Park draft.





“We bought both High Achiever and Aromatic, who won impressively after two seconds, from Tony Rider at Karaka. We bought them late in the day, quite close together, and they may have got under the guard of a few but they're both very nice horses,” Ellis said.





“Tony's got some lovely horses of his own in the stable too, and Milan Park is a boutique stud that really knows what they're doing. I'm looking forward to seeing their next draft for Karaka. 





“You know, we've had winners this week for the Chitticks at Waikato Stud, with Cornflower Blue, and Keke Star today for Sam and Catriona Williams at Little Avondale, and with Miss Aotearoa recently for Tony Rider too, it's really appreciated when the studs support us.





“Also, it was great to see Chad (Ormsby) win another race in the tangerine. He's been battling his weight hard, but it just shows what you can do if you set your mind to it and have the discipline - he should be very proud.”





High Achiever was strapped by Sarah West. 










Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz


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