Te Akau Te Rapa Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses at Te Rapa on Tuesday 20 August -

Weather: overcast, track: Slow8, rail: true

Heat 1 2YO 650 metres (¾ lengths, ½ a length 39.4)

Heracles(2 c Pins - Cerberus) - Troy Harris; tracked along behind two leaders, letting down nicely in the straight for a close third and good through the line. 

Purchased by David Ellis for $200,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the Pencarrow draft, and owned by the Te Akau Pin Him Up Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). From a classy and versatile family, his dam has left winners from 1200m - 2000m, grand-dam Chimeara (Danehill) was an impressive winner over 1200m & 1600 metres and his third dam, Tristalove (Sir Tristram), was Head of the 1992-93 NZ 2YO Free Handicaps & Joint top filly on the 1993-94 Australasian 3YO classification.

Heat 3 2YO 650 metres (1 ¼ lengths, 2 ½ lengths 39.7)

Cool Aza Beel(2 c Savabeel - Cool ‘N' Sassy) - Michael McNab; co-led a competitive pace on the inner, quickened to a shake of the reins in the straight and went on to win stylishly without urging. 

Purchased by David Ellis for $150,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Fairdale Stud, and owned by the Te Akau Sassy Beel Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). 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.

Heat 4 Open 880 metres (½ a head, neck 55.5)

Remington(5 g Darci Brahma - Kudamm) - Joe Kamaruddin; was handily placed from barrier two in fourth and picked up solidly in the straight to narrow the margin late for a close third. 

Purchased as a yearling by David Ellis for $75,000, from the draft of Pencarrow Stud, at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Sale and owned by the Te Akau Remington Steele Syndicate, he came of age last spring when winning three of his four starts at Riccarton. From the impressive winner Kudamm (Cape Cross), who notched three of her four wins over 1600 metres, he has a top record of four wins and four seconds from 10 starts. 

Byzantine  (4 g Savabeel - Baradevi) - Michael McNab; steadied back from wide gate, seven lengths 600m and although remaining rearward after being presented widest in the straight his trial was still okay.

Purchased by David Ellis for the Te Akau 2017 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Little Avondale Stud, he was a stakes performed winning two-year-old that freshened following a dominant win in May at Pukekekohe.

Heat 5 Open 880 metres (¾ lengths, 2 lengths 55.5)

Ripley  (6 g Rip Van Winkle - Visique) - Troy Harris; steadied after beginning well, he was keen to go faster in fifth at the 600m and rounded off solidly for fourth. 

A winner last November over 1600 metres, from only four starts, he is a newcomer to the stable.

Don'tblamethemusic(6 g Coats Choice - Blame the Music) - Joe Kamaruddin; was back and wide off the outside gate, eight lengths 600m, before closing solidly while still on the bridle and looked good through the line.

A winner of his first two starts, and five from 14 in total, he was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis for $22,000 at the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock South Island Sale, from the Three Valleys draft, owned by the Te Akau Musical Syndicate. Don'tblamethemusic has a Northern Dancer cross, inbreeding to Nureyev on the dam side and a Zabeel (Sir Tristram) influence as sire of his grand-dam Noubeel.

Heat 6 Open 880 metres (1 ¾ lengths, head 55.1)

Duck Road(4 g Ekraar - Silver Buttons) - Michael McNab; camped on the leaders in third, was clear on straightening and kept up a solid gallop for fourth. 

In training for breeder Dr. John Southworth, Gilbert Southworth and John Elstob, he capped good form before winning at his fourth start, over 1400 metres in January at Rotorua, and freshened following a third in a strong $80k Special Conditions race at New Plymouth. 

Together(5 m Ocean Park - More to Love) - Troy Harris; got back on the inner, six lengths 600m and although remaining rearward she quickened up nicely in the straight. 

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 100^thwinner 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.

Heat 7 Open 880 metres (2 ¼ lengths, dead-heat 55.7)

Louis Luck(3 g Dissident - My Option) - Opie Bosson; raced keenly between two runners on pace and just peaked on his run late to finish third. 

In training for Cambridge Stud proprietors Brendan Lindsay MNZM and Jo Lindsay, he was a debut winner over 1200 metres at Trentham, going on to contest the Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m) won by stable-mate Probabeel (Savabeel). Dissident has had a flurry of first crop winners, including 31 winners in 30 days late last season in Australia.

Heat 8 Open 880 metres (head, 2 lengths 55.5)

Queen of the Air(4 m I Am Invincible - Flying Single) - Michael McNab; began smartly to position second on the outer, quickened to an advantage at the 200m and kept up a very good gallop before being claimed on the line. 

A track record holder, when winning her Maiden in 1:09.6 for 1200 metres at Waverley, she was a stakes performed filly for the Te Akau Supersonic Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) at two and three years of age. Naturally talented, she was purchased by David Ellis at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Aotea Lad(3 g Savabeel - Corsage) - Opie Bosson; was back and wide off the outside gate, six lengths 600m, and although not comfortable in conditions he still trialled solidly. 

A nominee for Champion Two-Year-Old, won for the past two years by Te Akau stars Melody Belle (Commands) and Avantage (Fastnet Rock), he had a terrific two-year-old season. Winning the Wakefield Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m) on debut, he finished second in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m), second to stable-mate Probabeel (Savabeel) in the Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m), and second to stable-mate Yourdeel (Dundeel) in the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m). Owned by the Te Akau Love Life Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) and purchased by David Ellis for $200,000, from the draft of Phoenix Park, at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

Heat 9 Maiden 3YO 880 metres (neck, neck 56.6)

Lilikoi(3 f Charm Spirit - Barbadine) - Troy Harris; began smartly, travelled quite keenly in third, and finished close in fourth with the rider remaining unmoved. 

In training for Sir Peter Vela, she won a trial impressively in January at Matamata, before racing in tight quarters over 1000 metres in February at Te Aroha, and finishing strongly for a very close fourth in May at Matamata.

Heat 10 Maiden 3YO 880 metres (¾ lengths, ¾ lengths 55.8)

Star of Bombay(3 f Atlante - Astardia) - Michael McNab; found cover back in the field from a wide draw, five lengths 600m, quickened into it around the home turn and maintained her gallop for fourth.

Purchased by David Ellis at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, owned by the Te Akau Bombay Star Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). By 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Atlante (Fastnet Rock), she is the first foal of a Starcraft (Soviet Star) mare that won over 1600 metres.

Heat 11 Maiden 3YO 880 metres (nose, 1 length, no time)

Vamos Bebe(3 f I Am Invincible - Hurtle Myrtle) - Opie Bosson; travelled boldly near the pace from barrier two and never off the bridle to finish on terms with the winner - second.

In training for Brent & Cherry Taylor (Trelawney Stud), by I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), the leading sire last season in Australia with 184 winners, from Hurtle Myrtle (Dane Shadow), winner of the Myer Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m), Dane Ripper Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) and Sapphire Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m). 

Heat 12 Maiden 3YO 880 metres (neck, 3 lengths 56.7)

Vicenza(3 f Sacred Falls - Tonic) - Chelsea Burdan; was last early from a wide gate, tracked up camped on the leaders inside the 400m and maintained a good gallop without urging closer to the inner.

Bred and owned by Paul Ryan, from the first crop of quadruple Group One winner Sacred Falls (O'Reilly), out of triple stakes winning mare Tonic (Blues Traveller), who was owned and raced by Ryan. South Island Filly of the Year in 2003, ridden in two of her three stakes victories by Paul Richards, she has already left five individual winners of 22 races.

Heat 13 Maiden 3YO 880 metres (head, 1 ½ lengths 56.1)

Zouluminous(3 f Zoustar - Luminous Harmony) - Opie Bosson; began well from an outside gate, but posted three wide in fourth, she circled wide into the home straight and finished solidly for fourth. 

Owned by the Te Akau Shining Light Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis, from the draft of Rosemont Stud, at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Her dam, Luminous Harmony (Fastnet Rock), won four races to 1400 metres in Australia, and a sister to highly talented dual Group Three winner Neena Rock.

Heat 14 Maiden 3YO 880 metres (1 ¾ lengths, 1 ¼ lengths 55.8)

Amalfitana(3 f Ocean Park - Bucklebury) - Opie Bosson; travelled handy but a touch awkwardly near the pace, saved ground to the inside on straightening and had others close better wider out.

In training for Brendan Lindsay MNZM and Jo Lindsay, she is from a More Than Ready mare, half-sister to Von Tunzelman (Zabeel), Prince Jabeel (Savabeel), and Sherrif (High Chaparral), and in turn from quality mare J'Adane (Danehill), who finished second in the Kelt Capital Stakes (Gr. 1, 2040m) and third in the Mudgway Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m), after multiple stakes placed runs in Australia. 

Heat 15 Maiden 3YO 880 metres (¾ lengths, ½ a head 55.8)

Boutonniere(3 g Burgundy - Bouquet) - Troy Harris; began well from a wide draw to travel up in third and sustained a good gallop for a close fourth. 

Burgundy (Redoute's Choice) was bought by David Ellis, winning five stakes races, and his first three two-year-olds all won on debut, while also siring New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Dijon Bleu, to become Leading Second Season Sire. 

From the draft of Phoenix Park at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, purchased by Ellis for $80,000 and owned by the Te Akau Buttonhole Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), his sole start as a two-year-old resulted in a good effort for third in April at Otaki.

Heat 16 Maiden 3YO 880 metres (neck, neck 56.1)

Combat Queen(3 f Pierro - Missy Cummings) - Troy Harris; worked through from barrier two to co-lead a competitive pace, before finishing just off the leading group and rolling on solidly past the line.

Purchased by David Ellis from the draft of Segenhoe Stud, at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, her sire Pierro (Lonhro) was Champion First & Second Season Sire in Australia, producing $2m Australian Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Levendi and $1m VRC Oaks (Gr. 1, 2500m) winner Pinot. She is owned by the Te Akau Combat Queen Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) which includes Boys Get Paid.

Heat 17 Maiden 4YO & Up 880 metres (1 ½ lengths, neck 56.5)

4 m Ocean Park - Sinead- Opie Bosson; was handily placed in third but became unbalanced rounding the home turn and finished behind the pack.

Owned by Bill & Sandra Duell, who raced multiple stakes performer and 12-time winner Natuzzi (Coats Choice) with Paul Richards, she is from the family of Counties Bowl (Listed, 1100m) winner Brianna (Sudurka) and Counties Challenge Stakes (Listed, 1000m) winner Centennial (Centaine).

Heat 18 Maiden 4YO & Up 880 metres (1 ¾ length, head 56.8)

Man Oh Man(4 g Reliable Man - Lumir) - Joe Kamaruddin; had an easy time behind the pace and a staying type over a short trip he was doing his best work through the line. 

In training for owner/breeders Gerard Peterson, Brad Peterson, and Penny Vuglar, he stems from an unraced Encosta De Lago mare, half-sister to eight-time Group One winner Mahogany (Last Tycoon) who earned $3.6 in prize money. He has the pedigree to develop into a nice staying horse, with Lumir having already left three winners around 2000 metres.

Heat 19 Maiden 4YO & Up 880 metres (1 ¾ lengths, head 56.3)

Oceans Eight(4 m Ocean Park - Ruud Van Slaats) - Sam Weatherley; led at a solid clip from barrier one and kept up a strong gallop under a hand ride before being nabbed on the line - second.

Bred and owned by Brent and Cherry Taylor (Trelawney Stud), from their very good race mare and producer Ruud Van Slaats (Van Nistelrooy), who recorded victories in the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) and Cal Isuzu Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m) amongst five wins and $340,000 in earnings, she has left four individual winners of 14 races, including the Te Akau trained and twice stakes placed mare Smashing (Pins).

Heat 20 Open 1100 metres (¾ lengths, 1 length 1:11.6)

Mazzuro(5 g Rip Van Winkle - Mini Pearl) - Opie Bosson; was a stride slow to begin, travelled boldly in sixth and four lengths astern at the 600m, and a staying type he rolled on nicely into fifth.

In training for Bill & Sandra Duell, Mazzuro campaigned very well last autumn in Melbourne, winning twice to 2100 metres and registering a second and third from four starts. 

Heat 22 Open 1100 metres (short neck, 1 length 1:12.3)

Leaderboard(4 g Street Cry - Flower Fairy) - Opie Bosson; was handy on the inner from barrier one and stuck strongly for third in a competitive finish. 

Owned by the Fortuna Leaderboard Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), he was purchased last October at a Tattersalls sale in the U.K. A strong winner over 2400 metres last October in Ireland, and by the sire of Winx, he looks an ideal staying prospect to work through the grades.

Back