Te Akau Te Rapa Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses at the Cambridge Stud Te Rapa trials, Hamilton on Tuesday 23 June -

Weather: fine, Inside track: Slow7, rail: true -

Heat 1 Open 900 metres (½ a length, 1 ½ lengths 54.7)

Burgundy Belle (4 m Burgundy - Spin ‘N Grin) - Opie Bosson; raced boldly in front from barrier one and kept up a strong gallop for second without being exerted.

Boasting a terrific record: four wins, second, and three thirds, from nine starts, she was bred by David Ellis CNZM & Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM and is owned by the Fortuna Burgundy Belle Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin). Ellis also purchased her dam, Spin ‘N Grin (Spinning World), for $65,000 at the 2003 NZB Premier Yearling Sale and trained by Mark Walker she won the Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m) and finished second in the New Zealand Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m). She has left five individual winners of 15 races including Group 1 and Group 3 placed Éclair Lightning (Darci Brahma).

Heat 5 2YO 900 metres (1 length, 3 lengths 55.0)

No Limits (2 c Savabeel - Make A Wish) - Opie Bosson; began well from barrier one to travel off the rail in second and worked home solidly to win well.

Owned by the Te Akau 2019 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), an impeccable looking colt, he was the 2019 Karaka sales' topper ($1.4m) purchased by David Ellis CNZM from the draft of Waikato Stud. By five-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), No Limits is a half-brother to Queensland Oaks (Gr. 1, 2200m) runner-up Another Dollar (Ocean Park), while his second dam Starcent (Centaine) was Joint Third Top Filly in her three-year-old season.

Te Akau breeding syndicates in recent years have been represented by seven stallions to stand at stud in New Zealand and Australia.

Heat 6 2YO 900 metres (Long head, nose 56.4)

Reigning Cash (2 f Charm Spirit - Reigning Dynasty) - Diego Montes de Oca; bounced out from barrier one to lead and nicely rated he went on to score in good fashion.

Having her first trial, purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $55,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud, she is owned by the Te Akau Deign to Reign Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). With a rich 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 over 75 winners worldwide.

Heat 7 2YO 900 metres (1 ¾ lengths, 1 ½ lengths 56.0)

2 g Rip Van Winkle - Nightofpassion - Opie Bosson; went forward outside the leader and ran home solidly with a good gallop for second.

In training for breeder/owners Ruth Redwood and William Thrupp, having his first trial, Rip Van Winkle (Galileo) is also the sire of Te Akau Shark, whom they share in the ownership of, and Filly of the Year Jennifer Eccles. He carries a Nureyev cross through the dam line of Rip Van Winkle and dam sire line through Sir Tristram.

Speed Of Light (2 f Proisir - Light Source) - Joe Kamaruddin; improved three wide to fifth and kept up a very good effort for fourth.

By Leading Second Season Sire Proisir (Choisir), she is from a young Iffraaj mare, the same as Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands). Owned by the Te Akau Leading Light Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $37,500 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Fairdale Stud.

Heat 8 2YO 900 metres (1 length, long head. No time)

Style Queen (2 f Savabeel - Stylee) - Danielle Johnson; pushed
along in midfield and she kept going solidly to hold her position in fifth.

She is from the family of Te Akau 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Xtravagant (Pentire), now at stud in Australia and her dam Stylee is by award winning stallion Pins (twice NZ leading sire for global progeny earnings) - while the record of stallion Savabeel (Zabeel) speaks for itself. Owned by the Te Akau Fashion Icon Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was bought by David Ellis CNZM for $185,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Milan Park.

2 f Rock ‘N' Pop - Molly Coco - Chad Ormsby; got back off the outside gate and urged along over a sprint trip, she stuck to her task in the straight.

In training for owner/breeder Aquitaine Bloodstock, by Te Akau trained 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m) winning stallion Rock ‘N' Pop (Fastnet Rock) and from an unraced Savabeel (Zabeel) mare. She is a half-sister to Big Regards (Darci Brahma), the winner of six in Singapore.

Heat 9 2YO 900 metres (4 ¾ lengths, neck 54.1)

2 f Darci Brahma - Karalli - Opie Bosson; was midfield chasing a torrid pace and worked home well before being given an easy time to finish fourth.

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

Heat 10 2YO 900 metres (4 ¾ lengths, 2 lengths 55.1)

2 g Written Tycoon - Otravez - Danielle Johnson; bided time last off the outside gate, saved ground turning for home and although not overly comfortable in the going, he worked nicely into third.

In training for breeder/owner Seymour Bloodstock (Mgr: Darren Thomas), by Champion Victorian Stallion Written Tycoon (Iglesia) from Redoute's Choice (Danehill) mare Otravez who has left eight individual winners of 12 race including dual Group 2 placed Red Fez (Red Ransom).

Heat 11 2YO 900 metres (1 ¾ lengths, neck 55.7)

Garbo (2 f Proisir - La Pucelle) - Diego Montes de Oca; began awkwardly to get back, six lengths 600m, she travelled up well and made good ground for fifth.

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $17,500 at the 2019 NZB South Island Sale, dam La Pucelle was a winner over 1200 metres and her sire, Tale of the Cat (Storm Cat), was the sire of brilliant Te Akau trained 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Tell A Tale. She is owned by the Te Akau Saintly Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Heat 12 2YO 900 metres (2 lengths, ½ a length 55.5)

Knowican (2 g Iffraaj - Finkican) - Opie Bosson; began well to travel on the bridle in second and although a touch green he remained resolute in finishing fifth.

Having his first trial, he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $57,500 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Ainsley Downs, and is owned by the Te Akau Iknowican Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). By proven international stallion Iffraaj (Zafonic), the sire of Te Akau trained triple Group 1 winner Gingernuts, a half-sister to his dam, Jimando (Commands), won eight races including two stakes' races in Australia, and he boasts pedigree cross influences by some of the most influential thoroughbreds: Northern Dancer, Mr. Prospector, Special, Nearctic, and Natalma. His dam sire, Refuse to Bend (Sadler's Wells), was a top-class two-year-old and trained on to win the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) in the U.K.

Heat 13 2YO 900 metres (long head, 1 length 55.6)

Madame Moet (2 f Iffraaj - Champagne Katie) - Diego Montes de Oca; broke well to co-lead a line of three on the inner before finishing just off the leading division in fifth.

A $70,000 purchase by David Ellis CNZM, from the draft of Wentwood Grange, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, for the Fortuna Madame Moet Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin). A filly by high-quality proven International Group 1 stallion Iffraaj (Zafonic), from a stakes' performed mare by five-time Group 1 winner and multiple Champion sire Darci Brahma (Danehill).

Heat 14 2YO 900 metres (2 lengths, neck 55.5)

Maid Of Orleans (2 f Sacred Falls - Our Joan Of Arc) - Danielle Johnson; eased to last off the outside gate, six lengths 600m, she tracked up behind runners in the straight and did well without forcing the issue.

She is bred and is raced 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 1 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 15 3YO 900 metres (½ a length, ½ a length 55.4)

Romantic Lady (3 f Power - Romantic Time) - Joe Kamaruddin; camped on the leaders and trialled well for fourth without being pressured.

She completed a hat-trick of wins in December at Matamata, and has never been further back than fourth in six starts. Purchased by David Ellis CNZM 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).

Heat 19 Maiden 900 metres (2 ¼ lengths, ½ a head 55.1)

Kathies Choice (3 f Redoute's Choice - Everswindell) - Opie Bosson; travelled on the bridle behind the leaders and boldly held her position in the straight.

In training for Greg Tomlinson (Nearco Stud), Peter Leathem & Jo Esplin, John Heale, Rob Egan, John Blue, Andrew Lacy & Colin & Karen Bird, she was bred by Tomlinson in conjunction with Bill Gleeson (Wellfield Lodge). By the undisputed king of Australian sires, Redoute's Choice, a son of the most successful sire of all time, Danehill (Danzig), her dam, Everswindell (Align), was a New Zealand Cup (Gr. 2, 3200m) winner who subsequently left the Te Akau trained stakes' placed filly Quintette (Alamosa).

Heat 20 Maiden 900 metres (long neck, 1 ½ lengths 55.6)

Messing (3 f Dissident - Rossarita) - Danielle Johnson; travelled third in the open, levelled wide out in the straight and challenged hard for second.

Owned by Brendan Lindsay MNZM & Jo Lindsay of Cambridge Stud, she is from the first crop of five-time Group 1 winner and Australian Horse of the Year Dissident (Sebring). Trained by Peter Moody, Dissident was known for his exceptionally tough qualities when winning from 1000 metres to 1600 metres. Her dam, Rossarita (Testa Rossa), won three times to 1300 metres in Australia.

Heat 21 Maiden 900 metres (3 ½ lengths, 1 ¾ lengths 54.6)

Sizzler (3 f Sizzling - O'Raghailligh) - Joe Kamaruddin; camped on the leaders and held together nicely in finishing fourth.

Owned by the Te Akau Red Hot Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $90,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Bradbury Park. In her three starts as a two-year-old she registered fourth, second, fourth: behind stakes' winner and multiple group placed Bavella (Snitzel), stakes' winner and placed Flaunting (Showcasing), and stakes' winner and Group 2 placed Rainbow Dash (Showcasing).

Heat 22 Maiden 900 metres (short neck, long neck 56.3)

Spirit of Gold (3 f Medaglia d'Oro - Full Of Spirit) - Opie Bosson; began well to position handily to the pace and kept up a solid gallop for fourth.

Bred and owned by Haunui Farm and H J Mackley, by Darley stallion Medaglia d'Oro (El Prado), standing for $200,000 in 2019, she is from impressive race mare Full of Spirit (Flying Spur), a winner in both NZ and Australia, who highlighted her career winning the Adrian Knox Stakes (Gr. 3, 2000m) at Royal Randwick.

Blinder (3 g Reliable Man - Blinding) - Chad Ormsby; travelled into contention approaching the home turn and looking for further he stayed on well for fifth.

Owned by the Te Akau Bedazzled Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn-Fenton Ellis MNZM), he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $160,000 at the NZB 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Highden Stud. His dam, Blinding (Black Minnaloushe), was a very competitive filly in her three-year-old year, finishing second in the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m), third in the Sarten Memorial (Listed, 1400m), and fourth in the Sir Tristram Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m).

Heat 23 Maiden 900 metres (long neck, neck 55.9)

Brymaar (4 m Ekraar - Belorussiya) - Danielle Johnson; steadied rearward off the outside gate, 10 lengths 600m, and kept improving behind runners to finish close up in fourth.

In training for the estate of the late Dr. John Southworth, and raced on lease 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.

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