Te Akau Tauranga Trials

Te Akau horses trialled in a Group/Listed trial at Tauranga, Tuesday 2 January 2024.

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 6.5 metres.

Heat 1 Open 1100 metres (head, short neck 1:07.4 last 600m in 34.1)

Talisker (3 g Embellish – Glenkinchie) – Opie Bosson; he set a comfortable pace from barrier one, was joined nearing the home turn, quickened on straightening and kept giving for a close second to dual Group One winner Legarto (Proisir) - main photo obscured on inside.

Trobriand (3 c Kermadec – Arboreal) – Matt Cameron; he received a nice trip fourth on the outer, ranged up rounding the home turn, was pushed out four wide and ran home strongly for a close fourth - main photo on the outside. 

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Runner-up to Trobriand in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) last season, won on 1 January this year by stable-mate Bellatrix Star (Star Witness), Talisker recorded a hat-trick of wins before finishing second in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m).

He is scheduled to resume in the $55,000 3YO 1500 metres on Sunday 14 January at Ellerslie, ahead of the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (Restricted Listed, 1600m) there on Saturday 27 January.

Owned by the Te Akau Classic Edition Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Talisker was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $70,000 at the Karaka 2022 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Landsdowne Park, and was among the first offerings of Te Akau trained 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Embellish (Savabeel), whom Ellis also bought as a yearling at Karaka and who know stands at Cambridge Stud.

“He’s going really well and has certainly developed into good racehorses as a three-year-old,” said co-trainer Mark Walker.

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Trobriand won his first three starts as a two-year-old, including the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m), and returned in good form as a three-year-old to win the Guineas' Trial (1400m) before finishing second in the War Decree Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) and fourth in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m).

A very genuine colt, with four wins and never further back than fourth in 10 starts, Trobriand is preparing for the $500,000 Cambridge Stud Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) on Saturday 13 January at Trentham.

Owned by the Te Akau Island Paradise Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Trobriand was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM for $260,000 in January at the Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud. 

“That will tidy him up nicely and the mile at Trentham should suit him” said co-trainer Mark Walker. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz