Te Akau Te Rapa Trials' Report

We were delighted that Te Akau horses returned to the trials for the first time in months due to Covid-19 restrictions - on Tuesday 9 June at Te Rapa -

Weather: fine, track: Slow7, rail: out 15 metres

Heat 1 2YO 850 metres (1 ½ lengths, ¾ lengths 51.4)

2 f Darci Brahma - Karalli - Diego Montes de Oca; began well from
barrier one to co-lead a competitive pace and drew out late in the piece for a
courageous win.

In training for owner/breeder Mr. Siah Mong Lim, by Champion Te Akau trained stallion Darci Brahma (Danehill), she is the first from an Elusive City (Elusive Quality) mare that won both her trials before winning on debut and retired following a subsequent third.

Under Her Spell (2 f Not A Single Doubt - Bewitching) - Craig
Grylls; steadied to last off the outside gate, six lengths 600m, she never
appeared overly comfortable on the footing and remained back in a heat where
positions rarely changed.

Owned by the Te Akau Spellbound Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she debuted with a solid performance for second on Good3 footing in January at Riccarton. Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $150,000, from the draft of Milan Park, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, leading Australian stallion Not A Single Doubt (Redoute's Choice) is inbred to immortal sire Northern Dancer and the filly carries a Northern Dancer cross through the sire line of her dam, Bewitching.

Heat 2 2YO 850 metres (½ a head, 4 ½ lengths 51.9)

2 f Pins - Invermoray - Chelsea Burdan; trailed from barrier one
and held together to finish comfortably in third.

In training for Curraghmore Stud, she was bred by Shelley Frost and her late mother Raewyn Ramage of Braided River Thoroughbreds, the third generation of their family. She was having her first trial, and is a half-sister to talented filly Piper (O'Reilly).

Heat 3 2YO 850 metres (¾ lengths, 1 ¾ lengths 51.4)

Charmaine's Dream (2 f Charm Spirit - Scatter Cat) - Danielle
Johnson; took time to settle in the trail from barrier one, was clear with more
to offer at the 200m and rounded off nicely into second.

Bred by Alchemy Family Trust, Windsor Park Stud, and E J Wood, and owned by Fortuna Syndications (Mgr: John Galvin), she is from the second crop of world-class triple Group One winner Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit), the second highest rated 3YO Miler in the world (to Kingman), standing at Windsor Park. From the very good Moore-bred family, she was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $87,500 at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run.

Heat 4 2YO 850 metres (Long head, 4 ½ lengths 51.9)

Maid of Orleans (2 f Sacred Falls - Our Joan Of Arc) - Opie Bosson;
worked up fifth on the outer and given a quiet trial she advanced nicely into
fourth.

She is bred and owned by Greg Tomlinson, along with Peter Leathem & Jo Esplin, John Heale, Rob Egan, John Blue, Andrew Lacy & Colin & Karen Bird. From the second crop of quadruple Group One winner Sacred Falls (O'Reilly), her dam, Our Joan of Arc (Beautiful Crown), won the Gimcrack Stakes (Gr. 3, 1000m) on debut as a two-year-old at Randwick, and emulated two starts later in the Maribyrnong Stakes (Listed, 1000m) at Flemington.

Heat 5 2YO 850 metres (¾ lengths, ½ a length 52.5)

Our Final Offer (2 g Deep Field - Egyptian Melody) - Chad Ormsby;
was on the nickel, handily placed in the open, and remained held while working
home nicely for fourth.

Having his first trial, he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $100,000, from the draft of Phoenix Park, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, and owned by Fortuna Syndications (Mgr: John Galvin). He is the first foal from an Australian placed mare by Exceed and Excel (Danehill). Deep Field was a highly regarded Group Two winner in the Australia, by ill-fated emerging stallion Northern Meteor (Encosta De Lago), and a brother to Caulfield Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Shooting To Win. Their dam, Listen Here (Elusive Quality), subsequently sold for nearly $4 million.

Heat 6 2YO 850 metres (Long neck, 3 ½ lengths 51.4)

Saint Hilaire (2 f Zacinto - Limoux) - Joe Kamaruddin; showed
muster from barrier one to lead and not asked for too much in the straight.

By successful stallion Zacinto (Dansili), her dam Limoux is by Zabeel staying sire Reset. Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $7,500 at the 2019 NZB South Island Sale, she is owned by the Te Akau Limousine Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Heat 7 2YO 850 metres (½ a length, neck 52.6)

Soprano Supreme (2 f Contributer - Falsetto) - Opie Bosson; began
well to position outside the leader and sustained a strong gallop for third.

Owned by the Fortuna Soprano Supreme Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $62,500, from the draft of Te Runga Stud, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. From the first crop of Champion Australian Middle Distance Horse of the Year Contributer (High Chaparral), a dual Group One winner of the Chipping Norton (Gr. 1, 1600m) and Ranvet Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m), her dam, Falsetto, by legendary stallion Zabeel (Sir Tristram), was an impressive three-time winner from 1600m - 2100m.

Heat 9 Open 850 metres (2 ½ lengths, neck 50.3)

Shebringsmerubies (4 m Sebring - Run Away Ruby) - Opie Bosson; was
off the pace over a sprint trip, seven lengths 700m, and sure to improve for
the hit-out.

Owned by the Te Akau Girls Having Fun Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was offered by Vinery Stud and purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $57,500 at the 2017 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale. Unlucky not to break through in her first campaign, she delivered victory last spring and a consistent type, is preparing to race again.

Heat 11 3YO 850 metres (½ a length, 4 ½ lengths 51.0)

Rhapsody In Blue (3 f Medaglia d'Oro - Kablues) - Opie Bosson; was
handily placed, worked in open around the home turn and maintained a good gallop
to finish in line of three for third.

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $95,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Valachi Downs, and owned by the Fortuna Rhapsody in Blue Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she followed good form with victory at her third start. From a terrific family on her dam side, including Champion 3YO Filly in Australia Shamrocker (O'Reilly), winner of the Australian Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) and VRC Australian Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), Auckland Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m) winner Rock Diva (Lucky Unicorn), and Group One placed stakes winner Vernanme (O'Reilly).

Heat 12 3YO 850 metres (long head, head 51.7)

Vino Bella (3 f Burgundy - Pinstinct) - Chelsea Burdan; began well
from barrier one to co-lead a competitive pace and maintained her advantage
with a tenacious gallop to win.

Freshened in November, following a first and second, she was bred and is managed by Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM for the Te Akau Vino Bella Syndicate.

Heat 14 Maiden 850 metres (7 lengths, head 50.9)

Cicciolina (4 m Burgundy - A La Votre) - Diego Montes de Oca;
settled off a competitive and genuine pace, before closing nicely to
photo-finish for third.

From the talented three-time winning mare and handy producer A La Votre (Volksraad), who was purchased by David Ellis from Karaka. She is owned by Karyn Fenton-Ellis (MNZM), Aaron Jones, and Stephen Turner, who shared in her breeding.

Heat 15 Maiden 850 metres (2 lengths, 2 ½ lengths 50.9)

O'Connor (3 g Charm Spirit - Courtney) - Chad Ormsby; travelled
keenly behind the leading division and fought on over a sprint trip. 

In training for Darryl and Ann Courtney-O'Connor, by triple Group One winning sire Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit), from impressive winning mare Courtney (Montjeu) (2000m - 2500m).

Heat 16 Maiden 850 metres (long neck, ¾ lengths 51.8)

O'Pristine (4 m O'Reilly - So Pristine) - Joe Kamaruddin; camped on
the leaders, daylight 300m, and worked home nicely without urging for a close
fourth.

In training for owner/breeder David Paykel, for whom Te Akau trained dual Group Two winner and Group One placed filly Zarzuela (Zabeel). By O'Reilly (Last Tycoon), a multiple Champion Sire, she is from a Zabeel mare that Paykel bred and raced to win six times in New Zealand, before Group Two success over 1600 metres in Australia.

Heat 17 Maiden 850 metres (1 ¼ lengths, ½ head 52.1)

Brymaar (4 m Ekraar - Belorussiya) - Danielle Johnson; was
restrained on pace when keen to go faster and galloped out solidly for a close
fourth.

In training for the estate of the late Dr. John Southworth, and raced by Gilbert Southworth, John Elstob, Margaret Watts, Denise Bassett and Ian Potter. Her dam, Belorussiya (Mr. Nancho), won two races to 1670 metres, placing 10 times.

Heat 26 Maiden 1000 metres (head, neck 1:02.6)

Man Oh Man (4 g Reliable Man - Lumir) - Diego Montes de Oca; began
well to race handily on the inner and kept galloping strongly for a close
second.

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 $3.6m. Lumir has left five individual winners of 13 races to 2250 metres. He shapes as a promising staying type.

Heat 27 Maiden 1200 metres (3 ¾ lengths, ½ a length 1:13.8)

Al Haram (7 g Sea The Stars - En Public) - Joe Kamaruddin; got back
on the inner over a sprint trip before rolling on through the line.

A winner over 2100 metres in France, purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $42,500 at an Inglis online sale and owned by the Te Akau Star Struck Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he has both flat and jumps ability and won twice to 2200 metres during his spring campaign.

Heat 28 Maiden 1200 metres (1 ¾ lengths, 1 ¾ lengths 1:15.4)

Bak Da Master (5 g Mastercraftsman - Bak Da Princess) - Diego
Montes de Oca; began smartly, fifth 600m and stayed on very well into second.

From the family of stable star Te Akau Shark (Rip Van Winkle), the half-brother to Group One Easter Handicap winner Pondarosa Miss (High Chaparral) and Group One placed multiple stakes winner Ecuador (High Chaparral), he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $90,000 at the 2016 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Leanach Lodge, for the Te Akau Master Syndicate. He has won fresh-up in the spring and finished runner-up seven times.

Heat 29 Maiden 1200 metres (½ a length, 3 ½ lengths 1:14.8)

Richard Of Yorke (8 g Oasis Dream - Cascata) - Joe Kamaruddin; got
back second last over a sprint trip, seven lengths 600m, before making good
headway into midfield under a quiet ride.

The winner of six races, he recorded two firsts, seconds, and thirds when last campaigned before spelling in September. Owned by the Te Akau Plantagenet Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he won at Royal Ascot before being sold to Australia. Following two further wins over 2400 metres he was purchased for $42,000 on Gavelhouse.

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