Te Akau Tauranga Double - Devoted Dynamite

Returning 41-1, Devoted (6 g Contributer – Mapmaker, by Volksraad) pulled off victory in the $25,000 Gartshore Construction Rating 65 1600 metres on 15 December at Tauranga.

Okay from back in the field when resuming in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 21 November at Rotorua, Devoted had won twice to 2100 metres, including a debut Maiden win over 1600 metres, and while getting ready to step again in distance he was good enough to score second-up. 

With Te Akau apprentice Jess Allen (a3) in the saddle, as per his resumption, Devoted settled second last from barrier 10, eight lengths 600m, but tracked up behind runners nearing the home turn and capitalized on a nice split to prevail. 

“He’s been such a slow maturing horse, but continued to get stronger with age and it was a lovely ride by Jess,” said co-trainer Mark Walker.

“He’s pretty versatile, has won three on the flat, can win a hurdle and could win a steeplechase too.”

On footing that upgraded from Soft5 to Good4 earlier in the programme, Devoted ran 1600 metres in 1:38.1, last 600m in 35.3 (approx.) and paid $41.90 & $9.20 on the NZ TAB tote.  

While victory went the way of Allen, who recently won ‘Most Promising First Year Apprentice Jockey’ for 2022/23 season at the Northern Apprentice Awards, stable rider Opie Bosson was left lamenting after stable-mate Firriato (Almanzor) was slowest to begin when searching for his 2000th domestic win.

Starting the day on 1997, Bosson won aboard Glitzy Glory (Embellish) for trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, and remained one win shy after his win on Savacat (Savabeel).

The most heralded New Zealand jockey, with a record 94 Group One wins, Bosson may well achieve the elusive 2000 aboard Te Akau-trained two-year-old colt Move To Strike (I Am Invincible) in the first race on Saturday at Te Rapa, where he has seven rides on the card.

Devoted was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $55,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Mapperley Stud, and owned by Te Akau Cartography Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). 

From the first crop of Champion Australian Middle Distance Horse of the Year Contributer, a dual Group One winner of the Chipping Norton (Gr. 1, 1600m) and Ranvet Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m), Devoted is out of Mapmaker (Volksraad), who won twice and placed in the Trentham Stakes (Gr. 3, 2100m).

Standing at Mapperley Stud, Contributer progeny have already won over 200 races, 10 of those at stakes' level, including Ellis purchases Campionessa, a dual Group Two winner, and Listed winner Family Ties. 

“He’s a stallion that had a really good turn of foot when he was racing, Contributer, and we’re seeing that in his progeny,” Ellis said.

“The dam of Devoted, Mapmaker, finished third in the Trentham Stakes and she’s left a nice, neat, sort of horse and a later foal that has continued to improve with maturity. 

“We thought he was really good buying at the price and the way he’s won second-up suggests he can win more.”

The grand-dam of Devoted, Straight Eight, by 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Danske (Danehill), was a solid performing winner of three races that finished second in the Marton Cup (Listed, 2100m), and the third dam, Straight Line, was by very good stallion Straight Strike (Mr. Prospector). 

Devoted was strapped by Tamweer Alam. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz