Te Akau Te Rapa Trials' Report
Date: 16 Jul 2019
Te Akau trialed horses at Te Rapa, Hamilton on Monday 15 July (inside track).
Weather: overcast, track: Heavy10, rail: true
Heat 1 2YO 900 metres (nose, 2 ½ lengths 56.5)
Romantic Lady (2 f Power - Romantic Time) - Troy Harris; was handily placed fourth, clear on straightening, and quickened into a dual with a good effort for second.
Purchased by David Ellis at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, owned by Sir Patrick Hogan, John Aubrey, Richard Johnstone, Michael Macky, James Montgomerie, and Warwick Taylor. The first foal of a race winning filly over 1250 metres in Sydney, by Champion sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill).
High Achiever (2 g Pins - Thee Achiever) - Michael McNab; was easy off the gate to settle at the rear, made ground for fifth and good through the line.
Owned by the Te Akau High Achievers' Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $100,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the Milan Park draft. From a great South Island family of the Dennis brothers (Tony, Joe, Martin and Ray Dennis), he has won two of his three trials.
Crystal Bellini (2 f Ghibellines - Megagem) - Craig Grylls; began well to trail from barrier one, but testing conditions inhibited her ability to quicken in the straight.
Bred and owned by Brian Anderton (ONZM) and Lorraine Anderton, she is raced on lease by Mark and Vicki Baker (Hallmark Stud) and friends in the Megagem Syndicate.
Heat 2 2YO 900 metres (4 lengths, neck 56.3)
Laureate (2 c Snitzel - Floria) - Michael McNab; worked forward outside the leader and fought hard in testing conditions, just claimed for second.
By Snitzel (Redoute's Choice), one of three in the trilogy of breed shaping champion stallions in Australia, along with Danehill (Danzig), and Redoute's Choice (Danehill),he is the first foal from impressive winning Savabeel (Zabeel) mare Floria, winner of the Brisbane Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m), Summoned Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m), and Cuddle Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m). Owned by Te Akau 2018 Colt Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).
Ronaldo's Dream (2 g Darci Brahma - Sweet Dreams Baby) - Troy Harris; settled last, 10 lengths 600m and made good ground into fourth.
Bred by David Ellis & Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM, by champion sire Darci Brahma (Danehill) - bought by Ellis and trained by Te Akau to win five Group One races - from a Van Nistelrooy mare that has left five individual winners of 10 races, including dual stakes' winning filly Windborne (Darci Brahma) and Group One placed stakes' winning filly Darci's Dream (Darci Brahma), both also owned by Fortuna and trained by Te Akau. It has proved a very successful cross.
Darci's Rose (2 f Darci Brahma - Sovereign Rose) - Anna Jones; began well, steadied to fourth, and kept going solidly in testing conditions, just claimed for fourth.
Bred and owned by Dave & Nicky Hurst, loyal supporters of Te Akau, her dam Sovereign Rose (Pins) was trained to win four races and they also shared in the ownership of stable-mate Costa Viva (Encosta De Lago), winner of the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year.
Heat 3 2YO 900 metres (2 lengths, 1 ½ lengths 56.3)
Diamond Dream (2 f Fastnet Rock - Cierzo) - Troy Harris; settled a distant fourth and kept going without urging to finish fourth.
From a family very well known in New Zealand, Te Akau principal David Ellis paid $500,000 for the valuable half-sister to Jimmy Choux (Thorn Park) and Group One winner Miss Wilson (Stratum) at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, from the draft of Coolmore Stud.
Laurentium (2 g Sacred Falls - Alberton Princess) - Ryan Elliot; was off the pace in sixth, 10 lengths 600m and drawn wide in the straight he finished well for fifth.
Purchased by David Ellis for $170,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the Phoenix Park draft, owned by Linda Buttle, he is a half-brother to gifted three-year-old Brutal (O'Reilly), winner of three from three in Melbourne, before claiming the Doncaster Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) in April at Randwick.
Skybound (2 f Shooting to Win - Deliciano) - Michael McNab; found conditions too testing and remained rearward.
The first foal from a talented race mare that won six races from 1800m to 2100m, she by Darci Brahma (Danehill) whom Te Akau trained to win five Group One races before becoming a Champion stallion.
Heat 4 2YO 900 metres (1 ¼ lengths, neck 56.9)
When In Paris (2 f Pierro - Bulle De Champagne) - Michael McNab; began well to position handily and kept up a good gallop amongst horses for fourth.
Having her first trial, owned by the Te Akau Champagne Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was purchased by David Ellis for $160,000 at the 2018 Sydney Easter Yearling Sale. Pierro only ever ran in stakes races, winning 11 of his 14 starts. The unbeaten Triple Crown winner as a two-year-old amassed $4.5 million and already had yearling progeny reach $1.5m in the sales ring.
Lightning Field (2 g Deep Field - Claudine) - Anna Jones; settled last, 10 lengths 600m, making up plenty of leeway in the straight, and good through the line.
His sire, Deep Field, is by ill-fated emerging stallion Northern Meteor (Encosta De Lago) who proved a huge loss to the Australian stallion ranks. Lightning Field is line-bred to some terrific sires: Sir Tristram, Mr. Prospector, and Northern Dancer.
Exaltation (2 f Not A Single Doubt - Meleka Belle) - Troy Harris; positioned in midfield, closer rounding the home turn but unable to quicken on the heavy footing and looked after in the straight.
Owned by the Te Akau 2018 Fabulous Fillies Breeding Syndicate, purchased by David Ellis from Haunui Farm draft at the 2018 Karaka Book1 Sale, she is a half-sister to Champion Two-Year-Old and six-time Group One winning stable-mate Melody Belle (Commands). By Champion sire Not A Single Doubt, a son of the undisputed king of Australian sires Redoute's Choice (Danehill), his progeny have sold to $1.2m with winners up to 2400m.
Heat 5 2YO 900 metres (1 length, 1 ¾ lengths 57.3)
Xplosion (2 f Showcasing - Xpress) - Chelsea Burdan; was three wide in the open, ranged nicely rounding the home turn and finished solidly for second.
Xplosion was purchased by David Ellis for $115,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Nala Park, and owned by Te Akau Xplosive Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). She is the year younger sister of Wakefield Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) winner Xpression, who also finished second to Te Akau Champion Two-Year-Old Avantage (Fastnet Rock) in the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) and third in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m).
2 g Sacred Falls - Foiled- Troy Harris; was given time at the back of the field, improved wide into the straight and finished on for fourth.
In training for Raffles Farm, having his first trial, a half-brother to stable-mate Prise De Fer (Savabeel) who won before proving competitive against the best staying three-year-olds leading up to the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m).
Madame Cherie (2 f Ocean Park - Glitterati) - Anna Jones; settled fourth, shuffled back a touch nearing the home turn and although finding it difficult on heavy footing she finished on okay.
She was purchased by David Ellis for $40,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Riverrock Farm. From an International family, bred by Sheikh Mohammed, rich in stakes performers over staying distances, her dam, Glitterati (Observatory), an impressive looking mare, has already left two individual winners of six races up to 1700 metres.
Full of Joy (2 f Savabeel - Joy's Choice) - Craig Grylls; began smartly to race outside the leader, and not pressured when finding conditions too testing in the straight.
Owned by the Te Akau 2018 Fabulous Fillies Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), from the family of Australian Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Tavago (Tavistock) and multiple stakes winner La Sizeranne (Stravinsky), she is a filly with sensational pedigree.
Heat 6 2YO 900 metres (1 ½ lengths, head 57.6)
Aromatic (2 f Sacred Falls - Vickezzchardonnay) - Michael McNab; positioned handily on the outer, ranged widest into the straight and galloped home strongly for second.
Purchased by David Ellis for $160,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Milan Park, owned by the Te Akau Sacred Wine Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), her dam, Vickezzchardonnay, by the highest priced yearling to ever sell at Karaka, Don Eduardo ($3.6 million) (Zabeel), was an impressive five-time winner from 1600m to 2100m.
Ginger Too (2 g Iffraaj - La Chiflota) - Chelsea Burdan; camped just off the pace and staying closer to the rail he kept up a solid gallop for fourth.
Purchased by David Ellis for $70,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Monovale Farm, owned by the Te Akau Little Jerry Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). By Iffraaj (Zafonic), the sire of Te Akau trained triple Group One winner Gingernuts, and also the dam sire of Champion Two-Year-Old and six-time Group One winner Melody Belle (Commands), out a Group One winner and Champion 2YO Filly in Chile.
O'Connor (2 g Charm Spirit - Courtney) - Troy Harris; began smartly from barrier one, steadied to trail but found conditions too testing for his action in the straight and held together in fifth.
Having his first trial, and in training for Mr and Mrs D Courtney-O'Connor, from the impressive winning mare Courtney (Montjeu).
Heat 7 2YO 900 metres (1 ½ lengths, ½ a length 57.1)
Reiko (2 f Reliable Man - Lady Eiko) - Anna Jones; eased back from a handy position and drawn wide to make good ground in the straight for fourth.
Owned and bred by Joan Egan, she is the second foal from Lady Eiko (Stravinsky), a winner of two races, and a three-quarter sister to November Rain (Stravinsky), runner up in the both the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m) and NZ Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) before winning the Cal Isuzu Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m).
Cisjurane (2 f Burgundy - Femmebot) - Chelsea Burdan; got back in running and although the trip was too short she was getting home solidly wide out for fifth.
Purchased as weanling by David Ellis for $20,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock May Sale, from the draft of Wentwood Grange, she is owned by the Te Akau Cisjurane Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). From three named foals, her dam Femmebot (Stravinsky) has left three individual winners of 12 races.
Heat 8 Open 900 metres (head, head 57.5)
Ritzy Sparkle (3 f Pins - Kumari) - Michael McNab; began well from barrier one to lead, angled wide in the straight and kept up a resolute gallop to win.
In training for the Jimanda Syndicate which comprises one of her breeders Jim Barlow, from a Zabeel mare that impressed winning over 1600 metres, she won on debut as a two-year-old and only had three starts. Barlow developed the classy family, which includes Te Akau winner Byzantine (Savabeel).
Melody Belle (4 m Commands - Meleka Belle) - Troy Harris; was kept purposefully wide in the third, fourth turning in, and best late when rounding off strongly for a close third.
Melody Belle was purchased by Ellis as a yearling for $57,500 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm. She has now won 11 of her 20 starts and $1.64 million in prize money and at the end of her campaign in March, owners in the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin) turned down a whopping $3.25m.
The Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) and Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) winning Champion Two-Year-Old added five Group One wins during the season, virtually assuring herself ‘Horse of the Year' honours.
You're Welcome (3 g Camelot - Chorus of Angels) - Chelsea Burdan; settled at the rear, travelled up boldly behind the leaders and kept up a good gallop in the straight for fourth.
A debut winner with rich international pedigree, he was purchased by David Ellis for $200,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the Curraghmore draft. He is raced by a number of Australian owners also involved in Te Akau Shark including Steve Mace, Chris Russell and Paul Gallen.
Heat 9 Open 900 metres (¾ lengths, neck 58.2)
Te Akau Shark (4 g Rip Van Winkle - Bak Da Chief) - Michael McNab; settled at the back of five runners, cruised up wide into the straight and too strong in winning under a hold.
Purchased by David Ellis for $230,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock 2016 Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Lyndhurst Farm, Te Akau Shark is from Waikato Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) winner Bak da Chief. Winning the Coupland's Bakeries Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) by six lengths, he recorded his fifth win from six starts for owners Steve Mace, David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM, Paul Gallen, Greg Taylor, Chris Russell, Matt Allenby, Wayne Knight, Ruth Redwood, William Thrupp, Jim & Pauline Hepburn, and Donna & Robert Rudd.
Together (4 m Ocean Park - More To Love) - Troy Harris; camped behind the leaders and drawn widest she made good ground late for second.
A smart mare, winner of two and second twice from seven starts, bred and owned by Waikato Stud, she is from the lightly tried but talented Danasinga mare More to Love, while sire Ocean Park (Thorn Park) recently notched his 100thwinner with his oldest crop only four-year-olds. Her grand-dam, Flying Floozie (Pompeii Court), made a huge name for herself as the dam of world-class galloper Starcraft (Soviet Star), a five-time Group One winner that claimed titles of Champion 3YO in Australia, Champion Sprinter in New Zealand, and Champion Miler in Europe.
Savy Yong Blonk (3 f Savabeel - Ampin) - Chelsea Burdan; trailed from barrier one, ducked through to level on straightening and kept up a strong gallop for third.
An impressive back-to-back winning filly that raced with enormous credit against the best three-year-old fillies to finish fifth in the Sir Tristram Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m), third in the Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m), and fifth in the NZ Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m).
Bred and owned by Bill & Margaret Gartshore and Jim & Susan Gartshore, she is the first foal from an unraced Pins (Snippets) mare Ampin, in turn from the impressive winning race mare Ambitious (Last Tycoon) who finished second in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and left seven individual winners of 22 races.
Publicist (4 g Redoute's Choice - Valadon) - Anna Jones; handily placed before levelling around the turn and kept up a solid gallop for fourth.
A winner over a mile before contesting the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), owned by the Te Akau 2017 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). By the undisputed king of Australian sires Redoute's Choice, son of the most successful sire of all time in Danehill (Danzig), his dam sire, Woodman (Mr. Prospector), who left 109 stakes winners, has also left more than one-hundred stakes winners as a broodmare sire.
Heat 10 Maiden 900 metres (2 ½ lengths, 1 ¾ lengths 56.9)
Luminous (3 f Reliable Man - Keenly) - Michael McNab; eased to last from barrier one, angled widest in the straight, making ground without urging for fifth, and good through the line.
A white filly, purchased by David Ellis for $180,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Diamond Lodge, owned by the Te Akau Flawless Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Bred to stay, she displayed terrific potential through her first campaign with two seconds, and a third in the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m), from three starts.
Heat 11 Maiden 900 metres (nose, 3 lengths 58.0)
O'Pristine (3 f O'Reilly - So Pristine) - Anna Jones; steadied to settle back, six lengths 600m, saved ground closer in rounding the home turn and although in more testing footing she finished strongly for fourth.
In training for owner/breeder David Paykel, for whom Te Akau trained dual Group Two winning and Group One placed filly Zarzuela (Zabeel). By multiple Champion sire O'Reilly (Last Tycoon), she is from a Zabeel mare Paykel bred and owned to win six races in New Zealand, before Group Two success over 1600 metres in Australia.
Heat 12 Maiden 900 metres (3 ½ lengths, 1 length 57.2)
Shezathinka (3 f So You Think - Headsup) - Troy Harris; easy from barrier one, six lengths 600m and worked between runners under a hold in the straight for second.
Owned by the Te Akau Think Fast Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $175,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Kilgravin Lodge. By the ten-time Group One winner So You Think (High Chaparral), from impressive winning mare Headsup (Thorn Park), she unluckily never broke during a summer campaign which yielded three seconds, including the Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m), and two thirds.
Heat 13 Maiden 900 metres (head, 1 ¾ lengths 58.2)
Dublin Rose (3 f O'Reilly - Irish Dream) - Chelsea Burdan; began well to position outside the leader, right there in a line on straightening and kept up a strong gallop for a close second.
Unlucky not to have won, registering two seconds, third, and two fourths, from eight starts, she was purchased by David Ellis for $130,000 from the draft of Little Avondale Stud at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale. Owned by the Te Akau Dublin Rose Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Her dam Irish Dream, by Savabeel (Zabeel), won three races and a sister to Group One winner Shillelagh, Brisbane Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) winner Tullamore, and the Te Akau trained stakes winning mare Grazia.
Zareeba (3 f Rip Van Winkle - Surooh) - Anna Jones; was last in running, seven lengths 600m, and unable to quicken over a short trip in testing conditions.
In training for owner/breeder Kevin Hickman at Valachi Downs, she is a half-sister to promising Valachi staying mare Tantalising (Savabeel) who recorded back-to-back wins this season over 1600 metres before stepping up in class and distance.
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