Te Akau Te Aroha Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses at Te Aroha on Monday 14 December -

Weather: fine, track: Dead4, rail: out 11 metres

Heat 2 Open 1000 metres (neck, head 58.9)

Cool Aza Beel (3 c Savabeel - Cool ‘N' Sassy) - Opie Bosson; was
caught wide early, travelled a touch keenly midfield, and he looked good in his
action without any pressure.

The winner of four from six and named Champion Two-Year-Old, he capped a four-peat for Te Akau in the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and backed up winning the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m). Owned by the Te Akau Sassy Beel Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Fairdale Stud, the first foal from three-time winner to 1200 metres in Australia, Cool ‘N' Sassy (Testa Rossa), he is line bred to immortal sire Northern Dancer and blueblood producing mare Special, the dam of 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner and Champion Sire Nureyev.

Shezathinka (5 m So You Think - Headsup) - Troy Harris; was easy
off the gate to settle back inner, five lengths 600m, and she worked home well
near the rail.

Runner-up in the Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) as a three-year-old, she was a five-length winner over 2200 metres in March at Rotorua. Owned by the Te Akau Think Fast Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Kilgravin Lodge. By the ten-time Group 1 winner So You Think (High Chaparral), from impressive winning mare Headsup (Thorn Park).

Heat 3 Open 1000 metres (head, 6 ¼ lengths 58.4)

Entriviere (4 m Tavistock - Marcey's Belt) - Danielle Johnson;
began well to travel boldly in front and she quickened appreciably under her
own steam for a close second to listed winner and Group 2 placed Levante
(Proisir).

Made it two from two when streaking clear to win by four lengths on 14 October in the Rating 65 1300 metres at Tauranga, and freshened after finishing second on 4 November at Avondale. From the family of triple Group 1 winner of the Cox Plate, Orr Stakes, and Yalumba Stakes, Maldivian (Zabeel), she was bred by Kevin & Kathleen Gray, Copper Belt Lodge.

Boutonniere (4 g Burgundy - Bouquet) - Opie Bosson; began well to
trail from barrier one, travelled a touch keenly, and held together without
being asked for too much in the straight.

He capped three thirds with a deserved victory. Owned by the Te Akau Buttonhole Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), with a tidy action and conformation, he was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis, from the draft of Phoenix Park, at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale. Ellis also bought his sire, Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), winner of five stakes races.

Heat 7 2YO 800 metres (3 ¼ lengths, 4 ½ lengths 47.8)

Nossenko (2 f Savabeel - Vera de Bosset) - Opie Bosson; trailed
from barrier one, a touch green approaching the home turn and she was not asked
for too much in finishing fourth.

In training for owner/breeder Kevin Hickman ONZM (Valachi Downs), she is by six-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), from Stravinsky (Nureyev) mare Vera de Bosset, a dual winner over 1200 metres.

Heat 13 Maiden 800 metres (neck, 4 ½ lengths 46.5)

Rip Van Gogh (3 g Rip Van Winkle - On the Move) - Opie Bosson;
over-raced in fifth before easing three wide approaching the home turn and he
kept up a strong gallop, without being pressured, to gain a winning advantage
near the line.

He was freshened after a notable debut effort for fourth in the Maiden 3YO 1100 metres on 23 September at Matamata. Purchased by David Ellis at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Phoenix Park, and owned by Te Akau Fast Action Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). By Rip Van Winkle (Galileo), the sire of dual Group 1 winning stable-mate Te Akau Shark, he is the first foal from a mare by exceptional Australian broodmare sire More Than Ready (Southern Halo). Renowned the world over, More Than Ready is one the best sire of winners (3506) worldwide and also an outstanding sire of sires.

Heat 14 Maiden 800 metres (head, 3 lengths 47.4)

The Panther (3 g Iffraaj - La Panthere) - Opie Bosson; began well
to travel under a good hold outside the leader and he galloped out strongly on
terms with the leader, finishing second.

Owned by the Te Akau Fiery Red Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis, from the Wentwood Grange draft, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. Bred on the same cross as Gingernuts - by Iffraaj, out of a Generous mare - trained by Te Akau to win the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m), and Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m). Iffraaj (Zafonic) is also the dam-sire of stable star and dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands), winner of 12 Group 1 races and history-maker when winning the Hawkes Bay Triple Crown.

Heat 17 Maiden 1000 metres (2 ½ lengths, 1 ¼ lengths 59.7)

Reigning Cash (3 f Charm Spirit - Reigning Dynasty) - Danielle
Johnson; settled off the pace in fifth, but unable to let down in the straight
on firmer footing.

Purchased by David Ellis at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud, and owned by the Te Akau Deign to Reign Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). With a good pedigree, she is from the second crop of triple Group 1 winner Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit), who commenced stallion duties in 2015 at Windsor Park Stud, and already sired 307 winners worldwide.

Heat 20 Maiden 1000 metres (1 ¼ lengths, neck 59.4)

Confectionery (4 m Per Incanto - Not A Jaffa) - Danielle Johnson; ended up co-leading on the inner from barrier one and she kept lifting in the straight to win nicely.

Owned by Te Akau Jaffalicious Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased as yearling by David Ellis at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Little Avondale Stud, her dam, Not A Jaffa (Iffraaj), is a half-sister to Hong Kong Horse of the Year Werther (Tavistock), both being out of Bagalollies (Zabeel), the dam of four individual winners (257 wins), including nine Group victories.

Heat 21 Maiden 1000 metres (dead-heat, 2 ¼ lengths 1:00.2)

Conquering Khan (3 g Mongolian Khan - Mabsam) - Opie Bosson;
tracked up fourth of four, mounted a challenge three wide in the straight and
he kept up a good gallop for third.

Owned by Te Akau Imperial Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he was purchased by David Ellis, from the draft of Windsor Park, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. From the first crop of Champion Three-Year-Old and subsequent dual Horse of the Year and Champion Stayer Mongolian Khan (Holy Roman Emperor), recording Group 1 wins in the NZ Derby, ATC Derby, and Caulfield Cup. He is a half-brother to impressive winning stable-mate Festivity (I Am Invincible), winner of four from five.

Heat 22 Maiden 1000 metres (head, long neck 58.9)

Diamond Riviere (3 f Pierro - Special Gemstone) - Danielle Johnson;
positioned handily, tracked up rounding the home turn, but became unbalanced
and given a quiet run into fifth.

Owned by Te Akau Riviera Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she is from a mare by Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill) that won over 2000 metres in Australia. Her sire Pierro (Lonhro) was Champion First, Second, and Third Season Sire in Australia, with nine Group 1 winners among 47 stakes winners.

Heat 23 Maiden 1000 metres (length, head 59.1)

Maasir (3 g Proisir - Maakel) - Troy Harris; raced third in the
open and he was held together, going well, in a line-up for the minors.

Owned by Te Akau Proisir Pride Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he raced well in three starts before being freshened. By emerging young sire Proisir (Choisir), from a mare by International stallion Swain (Nashwan) that has left three winners of five races including Kidwelly (Dylan Thomas) who finished second in the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) and fourth in the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m). He was purchased by David Ellis for $72,500 at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Leanach Lodge.

Heat 24 Maiden 1000 metres (1 ½ lengths, 2 ¼ lengths 58.6)

Moir Appiel (3 g Pour Moi - Appiel) - Opie Bosson; tracked in a line
of four chasing the leader, improved to third approaching the home turn, but
unable to quicken further in the straight.

In training for owner/breeder Clyde & Pat Buckingham (Emblem Ltd), he is by English Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Pour Moi (Montjeu), from Appiel (Singspiel), a mare that impressed winning with give in the ground.

Heat 25 Maiden 1000 metres (¾ lengths, ¾ lengths 59.1)

Ready For This (3 g More Than Ready - Costarosa) - Troy Harris;
settled distant fifth, presented widest 300m and he ran home without really
quickening.

Won his first two trials and spelled following two starts as a two-year-old. His dam, Costarosa (Encosta De Lago), is a half-sister to Members Joy (Hussonet) who left two-year-old stakes winner Pure Elation (I Am Invincible) in Australia, a very good filly that impressively won the Percy Sykes (Gr. 2, 1200m) as a two-year-old at Randwick, and resumed at three winning the Furious Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on the same course. Purchased by David Ellis at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, and owned by the Te Akau Ready to Roll Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

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