Te Akau Tauranga Exhibition

Te Akau trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson gave four stakes' performed horses an exhibition gallop between races on Saturday at Tauranga.

La Dorada (Super Seth), ridden by Craig Grylls, and Celestial Wonder (Xtravagant), with Vinny Colgan aboard, worked over 1000 metres in 1:00.5, last 600m in 33.6, on Soft5 footing.

It was good work by the O’Leary’s Stakes (Listed, 1340m) runner-up Celestial Wonder to match strides with La Dorada, who recently won both the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and $225,000 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m).

Ridden by Ryan Elliot, dual winner To Bravery Born (Snitzel), who finished fourth in the Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and third in the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m), galloped with Born To Be Royal (King’s Legacy), ridden by Wiremu Pinn, who finished third in the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m).

They went on terms in quieter work, running 1000 metres in 1:04. 5 and last 600m in 36.4.

La Dorada is preparing for the $550,000 Group 1 Courtesy Ford Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on Saturday 29 March at Trentham.

Owned by Te Akau Solid Gold Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), La Dorada was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $190,000, from the draft of Waikato Stud, at the 2024 Karaka Book 1 Sale, and has earnings of $744,500. 

Celestial Wonder is preparing for the $65,000 3YO 1200 metres on Saturday 29 March at Trentham.

Owned by Te Akau Beyond The Stars Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Celestial Wonder was bred by David Ellis CNZM, who purchased her dam, Meteoric Lass (Stratum), for $50,000 as a yearling at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Kitchwin Hills.

To Bravery Born is being also set for the $550,000 Group 1 Courtesy Ford Sires’ Produce Stakes on Saturday 29 March at Trentham.

From a dam line that Te Akau has had plenty of success, To Bravery Born was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $200,000 at the Karaka 2024 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud, and owned by Te Akau Secret Identity Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Born To Be Royal is likewise heading to the $550,000 Group 1 Courtesy Ford Sires’ Produce Stakes on Saturday 29 March at Trentham.

Owned by Te Akau Moments Stolen Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Born To Be Royal was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $200,000, from the draft of Riversley Park, at the 2024 Karaka Book 1 Sale.