Te Akau Te Teko Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled 56 horses at the Te Teko trials on Monday 13 August -

Weather: fine, inside track: Heavy10, rail: out 14 metres

Heat 1 Open 840 metres (head, ½ a length 50.9)

Devil May Care (5 g Lonhro - Devil's Song) - Shafiq Rusof; travelled easily in fifth, ranged widest into the straight and galloped home strongly under a hand ride to finish close up in fourth.

He went out a winner in April, having recorded two wins from his last three starts (clocking the fastest final 600m of the day in each of those races), and a horse that has finished third or better in five of his six starts.

Bred and owned by Sir Peter Vela, from the family of NZB Filly of the Year Vapour Trail (Jetball), winner of the New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m), and Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) winner Encosta Diablo (Encosta De Lago), with good horses from the breed shown to string a few wins together.

Mongolianconqueror (4 g Ocean Park - Queen Rania) - Opie Bosson; away well, nice trip fourth on the outer, and he finished fifth on going too testing for him.

Purchased for $130,000 by David Ellis, from the draft of Kiltannon Stables, at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sales, Mongolianconqueror is owned by the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ) & Te Akau Conqueror Syndicate, and a constant improver throughout his three-year-old season.

He followed two wins with a second in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) and a nose away from providing Ocean Park (Thorn Park) with his first Group One winner (New Zealand Derby (2400m)) in March at Ellerslie.

Fine Bouquet (4 m Burgundy - Ensorcelez) - Dennis Tan; got back from barrier one, standing the leader eight lengths at the 600m and remained rearward on going too testing for her.

Bred and raced by David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM, along with Graeme and Christina Mander, she carries a Northern Dancer and Nijinsky cross. She became the third winner of three foals from Ensorcelez (Black Minnaloushe) when following a debut second with a very convincing victory at her third start, in May at Waipa.

Heat 2 Open 840 metres (neck, long head 50.8)

Wandering Eye (4 g Commands - Adulterer) - Dennis Tan; travelled boldly, camped on the leaders, and finished off powerfully into third once clear inside the last 200m.

Purchased by David Ellis for $130,000 from the draft of Woodside Park Stud at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, he transferred good trial form to win early last season, and has two seconds, third, and fourth in his form line from six starts.

His dam Adulterer (Traditionally) was a dual winner over 1200 metres in Australia, and grand-dam It's My Sin (Success Express) won impressively up to 1400 metres before proving her talent at stud when leaving twelve individual winners of 39 races.

Ritzy Sparkle (3 f Pins - Kumari) - Opie Bosson; began smartly to co-lead on the inner and kept up a solid gallop for fifth, without being extended.

She was an impressive trial winner before a debut victory in May at Pukekohe.  From a Zabeel mare that impressed winning over 1600 metres, in training for the Jimanda Syndicate which comprises one of her breeders Jim Barlow. Barlow developed the classy family going back to her grand-dam Vedodara (Kreisler), and the Te Aroha Breeders' Stakes winner Balmacara (Bassenthwaite).

Also, Hawkes Bay Guineas winner Shastri (Stravinsky), Cuddle Stakes winner Bhandara (Zabeel), and Avondale Cup winner Sharvasti (Montjeu), that in turn has left Baradevi (Volksraad) who produced Te Akau two-year-old winner Byzantine (Savabeel).  Her year older half-sister Semari (Sebring) has won three to 2000 metres, from her last five starts, in Australia.

Qian Gua (4 g Cape Blanco - Cool Diamond) - Shafiq Rusof; got back on the inner from barrier one in a compact field, and although looking for further he kept up a strong gallop against the rail.

In training for Mr. S Hon and Mr. Q Yu, after Mr. Hon purchased him at the 2016 NZB Ready to Run Sale, from a terrific Cambridge Stud family that includes Capital Diamond, Diamond Lover, Tristalove, and stallions: Don Eduardo, Viking Ruler, and Viscount.

He won two of his last three starts, both over a mile, and spelled after finishing second early in May at Matamata.

Seirios (4 g Pierro - Irish Lights) - Nik Bakar; settled last in a compact field and looking for further he was doing his best work through the line.

He came of age in the autumn, with two starts resulting in a fresh-up second before always travelling like the winner in his victory at Waipa.

Out of Group One winner Irish Lights (Fastnet Rock), Seirios was purchased by David Ellis for $480,000 at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Coolmore Stud, for the Te Akau 2016 Breeding Syndicate.   Irish Lights won the Thousand Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Caulfield, and five-time Group One winning sire Pierro (Lonhro) only ever ran in stakes races, winning eleven of his fourteen starts, and the unbeaten Triple Crown winner at two amassed A$4.5 million.

Heat 3 Open 840 metres (head, nose 51.4)

Sword Of Osman (3 g Savabeel - Bunyah) - Opie Bosson; was back and wide off the outside gate, seven lengths 600m, and without urging he stretched out nicely down the outside to finish close up in fourth.

Racing without a trial, he was somewhat of a revelation in his two-year-old season, winning three of his five starts, including the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) and Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m), and joins Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) and Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) winning stable-mate Avantage (Fastnet Rock) as a finalist for the title of Champion Two-Year-Old.

One of the strongest and precocious sons of champion sire Savabeel (Zabeel), purchased by David Ellis for $165,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, prepared by Trelawney Stud for breeder Joan Egan, and owned by the Te Akau Great Sword Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Sword Of Osman is one of six named foals out of the raced European-bred mare Bunyah (Distant View) who is a half-sister to Group Three winner Governor Brown (Kingmambo) and listed winner Hataab (Woodman).  As well as producing Sword Of Osman, Bunyah is also the dam of the stakes-placed filly Fortaleza (Darci Brahma), winner of nine African Pulse (Johannesburg), four time winner Big Surprise (Lucky Unicorn), dual winner Sazzana (Savabeel), and talented galloper Arundel (Duke of Marmalade).

Icebomb (4 m Darci Brahma - Snowdonia) - Tegan Newman; got back on the inner, six lengths 600m, and sustained a good gallop closest to the rail for fifth.

Stakes placed as a two-year-old, purchased privately by David Ellis for $50,000 from Jamieson Park, and owned by the Te Akau Icebomb Syndicate.

A talented filly, she gained due reward after finishing runner-up four times - often unluckily - with a stylish win in April at Tauranga, then finished second again in Rating 65 grade before spelling.

A lovely mare, she carries a Nureyev cross, through the Sir Tristram line on the dam side of Darci Brahma (Danehill), and French Derby winner Peintre Celebre, as the sire of Snowdonia.

Wide Awake (5 g Savabeel - Kay's Awake) - Chelsea Burdan; was back in the rearward trio and six lengths away at the 600m, keeping up a good gallop, without a lot of room, to finish camped on the leaders in sixth.

Wide Awake came of age during his four-year-old season, with two wins, including victory in the Woodville Cup (2100m), two seconds, and a third for the Te Akau Wide Awake Syndicate.

Wide Awake was purchased by David Ellis for $150,000, from the draft of Monovale Farm, at the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale. Te Akau had already experienced success with his older siblings Alert and Rise ‘N' Shine, both by Zabeel (Sir Tristram).

His dam, Kay's Awake (Towkay), showed to be an impressive performer in her career of six wins and was regarded as one of the very best race mares over the past decade in New Zealand, placing twice behind both Darci Brahma (Danehill) and Seachange (Cape Cross) at the highest level.

Remington (4 g Darci Brahma - Kudamm) - Nik Bakar; secured a nice position in fourth and his trial performance was solid, despite finishing rearward in a strong heat.

Owned by the Te Akau Remington Steele Syndicate, he capped a strong finishing debut second with a win over 1200 metres, both in February, and spelled in April following two seconds over 1400 metres in Rating 65 grade.

From the impressive winner Kudamm (Cape Cross), who notched three of her four wins over 1600 metres, purchased as a yearling by David Ellis for $75,000, from the draft of Pencarrow Stud, at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Sale.

Heat 4 Open 1030 metres (½ a head, 3 ½ lengths 1:04.5)

Te Akau Shark (4 g Rip Van Winkle - Bak Da Chief) - Opie Bosson; got back, racing a touch keenly, four lengths 600m, and wound up an impressive finish to claim ATC Derby winner Jon Snow (Iffraaj) on the line.

Impressive winning his first two starts and denied third by a whisker behind stable-mates Embellish (Savabeel) and Age Of Fire (Fastnet Rock) in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), purchased by David Ellis for $230,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock 2016 Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Lyndhurst Farm, owned by Steve Mace, David Ellis, Paul Gallen, Gregg Taylor, Chris Russell, Matt Allenby, Wayne Knight, Ruth Redwood, William Thrupp, Jim & Pauline Hepburn, Donna & Robert Rudd.

Although from a strong staying family; his dam Bak Da Chief (Chief Bearhart) won the Waikato Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m), he displays precocity to act fresh over shorter trips and trialling very well in preparation for the new season ahead.

King Kane (5 g Showcasing - Vannista Belle) - Shafiq Rusof; was caught a bit wide, travelling keenly, ranged fourth at the 600m and galloped home solidly for fourth on ground too testing for him.

In training for former New Zealand cricket captain Brendon McCullum and the Vermair King Kane Syndicate, he won comprehensively on two occasions up to a mile and now more mature is shaping nicely to win more races.

Heat 5 Open 1030 metres (¾ lengths, 4 ¾ lengths 1:03.4)

Summer Monsoon (4 g Stratum - Princess Narine) - Shafiq Rusof; travelled boldly sixth of eight, six lengths 600m, and he powered home wide on the track for second to dual Group Two winner Ocean Emperor.

Owned by the Te Akau 2016 Sydney No. 1 Breeding Syndicate, Summer Monsoon was purchased by Te Akau Principal David Ellis for $200,000 from the draft of Newgate Farm at the Sydney Easter Yearling Sale.

A colt with good gate speed, he has shown professionalism in winning, and finishing second in the Matamata Slipper (Listed, 1200m), from six starts.

Richard Of Yorke (7 g Oasis Dream - Cascata) - Opie Bosson; settled last, seven lengths 600m, and worked home in staying fashion, wide on the track.

Owned by the Te Akau Plantagenet Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he was a winner at Royal Ascot before being sold to Australia. Following a further two wins over 2400 metres and $200,000 in prize money, he was purchased by David Ellis for $42,000.

By Oasis Dream (Green Desert), the sire of 170 stakes winners, his dam sire Montjeu was one of the highest quality horses in the world, winning the Irish Derby, French Derby, and Arc de Triomphe, before experiencing a lot of success when standing at stud in New Zealand.

Heat 6 Open 1030 metres (nose, 1 ¼ lengths 1:04.8)

Swing Note (4 m Encosta De Lago - Andallthatjazz) - Nik Bakar; was posted three wide in sixth, switched between runners in the straight and closed in eye-catching fashion to miss winning by a nose.

Earning a start in the Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m), won by stable-mate and Champion Two-Year-Old Melody Belle (Commands), she had a very productive three-year-old season: winning well, third in the Zacinto Stakes (Listed, 1600m), fifth in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and fourth in the Lowland Stakes (Gr. 3, 2100m).

Purchased by David Ellis for $60,000 from the draft of Turangga Farm at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, a sale where he also bought Champion Two-Year-Old finalist Gold Fever (Savabeel), she is owned by the Te Akau Jazz Syndicate.

Heat 8 2YO 620 metres (6 ¼ lengths, 2 ½ lengths 37.5)

2 g Makfi - Shamabelle - Shafiq Rusof; co-led on the inner from barrier one, kept up a solid gallop for second and was good through the line.

By Makfi (Dubawi), who sired 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Sofia Rosa and Horse of the Year Bonneval, he is from a classy race mare by Shamardal. Shamabelle was a stakes placed winner of two races up to a mile and her first foal Shamrock (Helmet) purchased by David Ellis at Karaka, registered a win in April at Kranji Racecourse in Singapore.

Sizzler (2 f Sizzling - O'Raghailligh) - Opie Bosson; was wide in fourth on straightening and closed very well inside the last 200m for third.

Owned by the Te Akau Red Hot Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $90,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Bradbury Park.

Sizzling was the first son of Champion stallion Snitzel (Redoute's Choice) to stand at stud, and this filly is the first foal from a mare by Champion stallion O'Reilly (Last Tycoon) and in turn from a mare by the most successful sire of all time in Danehill (Danzig).

“We've been very impressed with the stock of Sizzling,” said David Ellis. “He's a young sire that's been doing a great job with his two-year-olds in Australia.”

Through the grand-dam, Kerkira, who has left the impressive winning mare Emily Monk (O'Reilly), this filly carries a lovely Danehill cross in her pedigree. The family was established by the Aga Khan, and truly international.

Heat 9 2YO 620 metres (1 ¼ lengths, head 38.9)

2 f Atlante - Taheya - Shafiq Rusof; tracked the first three and making a run near the rail she closed off stylishly into second.

From the family of Love Dance (Kaapstad), winner of the Kelt Capital Stakes, Avondale Cup, and Sir Tristram Fillies Classic, and Group One placed mare Tip The Wink (Stravinsky), she is owned by Mr. Fudong Niu and Mr. Oscar Yue.

Vino Bella (2 f Burgundy - Pinstinct) - Jonathan Riddell; went forward three wide on the pace and kept up a resolute gallop to finish close up in fourth.

Owned by the Te Akau Vino Bella Syndicate, she was bred and is managed by Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM.  Pinstinct was a winner on good ground over 1200 metres and has left two individual winners of three races.

Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), the three-quarter brother to Darci Brahma (Danehill) - both purchased as yearlings by David Ellis - was trained by Te Akau to win five stakes races. Sire of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Dijon Bleu, NZ leading second season sire, with group winning progeny at two and three, the oldest progeny by Burgundy recently turned four.

Interestingly, Pinstinct is out of Oregon mare Oregon Express, and the same cross gave rise to the best horse sired by Champion stallion Pins, Ambitious Dragon, who accumulated seven Group One wins in a total of 13 and was twice named Hong Kong Horse of the Year.

Heat 10 2YO 620 metres (3 ¼ lengths, 1 ¼ lengths 38.7)

Romantic Lady (2 f Power - Romantic Time) - Shafiq Rusof; began awkwardly but quickly recovered to camp third and although a touch green she did a good job in the straight to finish second.

Purchased by David Ellis for $92,500 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). During the 2017-18 season, Te Akau trained colt Age Of Fire and filly Avantage became the 32^nd and 33^rd Group One winners, respectively, for Fastnet Rock.

Power (Oasis Dream) has made a great start to his stud career, siring five individual group and stakes winners with his first crop two-year-olds.  The filly boasts a lovely Danzig cross, through the stallions on each side of her pedigree: Power - Oasis Dream - Green Desert (Danzig) and Fastnet Rock - Danehill (Danzig).

Heat 11 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (2 ½ lengths, 1 ½ lengths 51.2)

3 f Per Incanto - Moss Lady - Nik Bakar; began well, posted three wide in third and sustained a very good gallop for second.

In training for Mr. Nui (Qiji Bloodstock), after being purchased for $40,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, she is the first foal of a mare by Authorized, from the family of successful stallion Mossman (Success Express).

Mongolian Angel (3 f I Am Invincible - Pipette) - Tegan Newman; got back on the inner, was a touch awkward when over racing at the 600m, but travelled nicely in the straight to finish fourth without urging.

Purchased as a yearling by David Ellis for $150,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock 2017 Premier Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park, she is owned by the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry and the Te Akau Angel Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis).

I Am Invincible was leading first season sire in Australia, by winners and earnings, and early in his stallion career has sired winners of 59 stakes races.   Her dam Pipette (Pivotal) won five races in Europe, and grand-dam Amaryllis, by legendary stallion Sadler's Wells, was a three time winner in Europe.

Twilight Zone (3 g O'Reilly - Twilight Granita) - Chelsea Burdan; was a stride slowly away and squeezed out to last, six lengths 600m, and although looking to prefer better going he made good inroads over the concluding stages for fifth.

Owned by the Te Akau in The Zone Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $70,000, from the draft of Bradbury Park, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale.

By multiple stallion award-winning O'Reilly (Last Tycoon), he is the first foal from a young stakes winning Iffraaj (Zafonic) mare. A proven sire, Iffraaj has left New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Fix. Champion Middle Distance & Sprinter of the Year Turn Me Loose, and Karaka Million winner Xiong Feng, while making an immediate impact as a broodmare sire through the deeds of Champion Two-Year-Old Melody Belle (Commands - Meleka Belle, by Iffraaj), bought by David Ellis and trained by Te Akau to win the Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) and two Sires' Produce Stakes.

“Iffraaj is a proven stallion, has a world-class pedigree and the makings of a really good broodmare sire,” Ellis said.

Heat 12 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (¾ lengths, neck 51.1)

Weaponry (3 g Declaration Of War - Cat Shmea) - Chelsea Burdan; began smartly to lead, co-led inside three at the 600m and kept up a good gallop near the rail to finish fourth.

From the draft of Curraghmore Stud, purchased by David Ellis for $140,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, and owned by the Te Akau Weaponry Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

He is a really good looking colt, from the first crop of a stallion that was very impressive when winning the Queen Anne Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Royal Ascot.

“Anyone that saw Declaration of War's win at Ascot would have realised what a special horse he was for trainer Aidan O'Brien, at Ballydoyle, and he went on to win one of the highest rated races in the world: the York International (Gr. 1, 2000m)” Ellis said.

“His dam Cat Shmea has already left a Group One winner (Velocitea) of the Goodwood Stakes, over 1200 metres in Adelaide, and the Northern Dancer cross is beautifully balanced in his pedigree.”

Ocean Star (3 g Ocean Park - Star Of Gibraltar) - Nik Bakar; began well to race between a line of three on the speed and sustained a resolute gallop without urging for fifth.

Owned by the Te Akau Ride the Wave Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $90,000 from the Monovale Farm draft at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale.

From the second crop of quadruple Group One winner and New Zealand Horse of the Year Ocean Park (Thorn Park), his dam, Star of Gibraltar (Danehill), has left five individual winners of 15 races, including stakes winner and multiple Group Three placed Tukiyo (Haradasun) in Australia.

3 f Rip Van Winkle - Surooh - Dennis Tan; got back to last from barrier one, ten lengths 600m, and improved against the rail in the straight for sixth.

In training for owner/breeder Kevin Hickman at Valachi Downs, her sire Rip Van Winkle (Galileo) was a top mile to 2000-metre winner in Europe, and sired 22 stakes winners, while the dam, Surooh is by high-class sprinter and excellent sire Pivotal (Cozzene).

Heat 13 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (head, 1 ½ lengths 52.0)

Willpower (3 g Power - The Lady) - Nik Bakar; landed in front, steadied to fourth passing the 600m and wound up strongly wide on the track to claim victory on the line.

He spelled after finishing second on debut in April at Rotorua, having displaying natural ability for a second and first, respectively, at the trials. His dam, The Lady (Stravinsky), won two stakes races as a two-year-old and second dam, Lady Dehere (Dehere), was Second Top Filly in the Two-Year-Old Free Handicaps of her juvenile year.

Purchased for the Te Akau 2017 Te Akau Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis) by David Ellis, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale for $250,000.

His sire, Power (Oasis Dream), standing at Cambridge Stud, has made a great start to his stud career, siring five individual group and stakes winners with his first crop two-year-olds. Gift of Power is leading the way, winning eight of her 12 starts including a group two and listed victory.

Our Flying Ace (3 g Darci Braham - Aterballetto) - Chelsea Burdan; travelled comfortably in midfield, five lengths 600m, and wide around the home turn he closed the margin with some nice work for fifth.

Purchased by David Ellis for $140,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Inglewood Stud, owned by the Te Akau Flying Ace Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM),. He stems from a classy family of Pencarrow Stud that has left Group Two & Three winner Rasa Lila (Darci Brahma) and Group Three winner Posavina (Tiger Hill).

“He was a very good value horse at the sales that really took our eye, with his Darci Brahma influence and from a Stravinsky mare. Stravinsky is doing a terrific job as a broodmare sire, and through Nureyev (Northern Dancer) the bloodlines in this colt are just exceptional,” Ellis said.

3 f Savabeel - Ampin - Shafiq Rusof; got back from a wide draw, seven lengths 600m, and although appearing suited to more distance and better footing she still worked home nicely for sixth.

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.

Heat 14 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (nose, head 51.6)

You're Welcome (3 g Camelot - Chorus Of Angels) - Opie Bosson; was back and wide off the outside gate, improved to fourth at the 600m and closed strongly widest on the track for a close fourth.

Boasting rich international pedigree, he is from the first Australian bred crop of champion three-year-old colt in Europe and Great Britain: Camelot (Montjeu), purchased by David Ellis for $200,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the Curraghmore draft.

He has a lovely Danehill influence in his pedigree: on the dam side of his sire Camelot and through Rock of Gibraltar on his female side.

You're Welcome is owned by Steve Mace, Chris Russell, Paul Gallen, Wayne Knight, Jim & Pauline Hepburn, Wade Graham, Matthew Fitzgerald, Damian Nash and Brett Lambert.

Pinultimate (3 f Pins - Lost In Dubai) - Dennis Tan; settled back after being awkwardly away from barrier one, seven lengths 600m, and through the straight was okay in the worst of the going on the inner.

Purchased as yearling for $36,000 by David Ellis, from the draft of Monovale Farm, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Sale, owned by the Te Akau Pinultimate Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she has continued to improve through the trials stage.

She is a half-sister to Group One placed Star Treasure (Lonhro), from the family of 2016 Karaka Million winner Xiong Feng (Iffraaj) and triple Group One winner of the Cox Plate, Orr Stakes, and Yalumba Stakes, Maldivian (Zabeel).

Dolce Amore (3 f Sebring - Irish Belle) - Nik Bakar; positioned in midfield and worked home quite nicely without urging for sixth.

Purchased by David Ellis for $100,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Milan Park, owned by the Fortuna Dolce Amore Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin).

From a stakes winning O'Reilly mare, she is by Golden Slipper winning stallion Sebring (More Than Ready) who has left the multiple Group One winner Criterion and Australian Horse of the Year Dissident.  Irish Belle was a terrifically consistent race mare and in turn as a broodmare has left the Telegraph Handicap (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner Irish Fling, a filly with a wicked turn of foot, and impressive winner Princess Belle (Darci Brahma).

Her second dam, Society Bay (Zephyr Bay), was a classy filly that won twice as a two-year-old and asserted herself in both New Zealand and Australia. It is the family of Champion filly and Miler Final Destination (O'Reilly).

Heat 15 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (1 ½ lengths, head 51.3)

Prise De Fer (3 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Shafiq Rusof; was slowly away and last early, eight lengths 600m, he improved nicely to the top of the straight and sustained a strong finish between runners for third.

Owned by the Te Akau En Guarde Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $100,000, from the draft of Trelawney Stud, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale.

“He is a lovely example of Savabeel: a good, strong colt, dark bay, with a Northern Dancer cross in his sire lines, bred by Raffles Farm and they're doing a fantastic job,” Ellis said.

By the champion stallion in New Zealand: Savabeel (Zabeel), from a Snippets mare that has already left a very good stakes winner of eight races in Belong to Many (Belong to Me). Snippets, the sire of outstanding Waikato Stud stallion Pins, has left plenty of stakes winners and regarded as a very promising broodmare sire.

Duck Road (3 g Ekraar - Silver Buttons) - Tegan Newman; began smartly to lead, before settling second, and held together on the inside of runners in the straight he kept up a good gallop for fourth.

In training for breeder Dr. John Southworth, Gilbert Southworth and John Elstob, he stripped in good order for his first trial when fourth in March at Taupo, and resumed on the right note. Destined to get over more ground, he coped well with conditions and certainly a lovely type of horse.

Heat 16 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (1 ¼ lengths, nose 51.7)

Encore Encore (3 g Fastnet Rock - Keep On Singing) - Shafiq Rusof; travelled well third last, six lengths 600m, and angled widest at the 300 he stormed home to win impressively.

Owned by the Te Akau Songbird Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased as a yearling by David Ellis for $350,000 at the 150^th Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, in Sydney, from the draft of Coolmore Stud.

Taken with the successful cross of Fastnet Rock and Hennessy mares, her dam Keep on Singing (Hennessy) was a very fast mare that won five races from 1200 metres to 1700 metres and stakes placed over a mile in America.

“Fastnet Rock is a Champion sire in Australia, and no cross has worked better than that with Hennessy mares. And Fastnet has crossed very well with American blood in general,” Ellis said.

Publicist (3 c Redoute's Choice - Valadon) - Opie Bosson; was handily placed on the inner from barrier one and kept up a good gallop without urging to finish close up in sixth.

Purchased for $560,000 by David Ellis at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Highgrove Stud, for the Te Akau 2017 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Previous breeding syndicates have unearthed stallions Darci Brahma (Danehill), Rock ‘N' Pop (Fastnet Rock), Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), Xtravagant (Pentire), Age of Fire (Fastnet Rock), Embellish (Savabeel) and Heroic Valour (Fastnet Rock).

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 17 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (head, 2 ¾ lengths 50.9)

Quattro Katie (3 f Zoustar - Kakakakatie) - Tegan Newman; got back on the inner from barrier one, seven lengths 600m, and rallied well to the inside of runners on tougher going near the inner.

Quattro Katie was purchased by David Ellis for $150,000, from the draft of Baramul Stud, at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Her sire, Zoustar (Northern Meteor), trained by Chris Waller, was sold to stud for $14 million in the week leading up to his victory in the 2013 Coolmore Stud Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) at Flemington - providing jockey Jim Cassidy with his 100^th group one winner. Zoustar won six of his nine starts, including two group ones and two group twos.

A Zoustar filly fetched $1 million at the 2017 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, and his filly Sunlight (winning five from seven) finished third in the $4m Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m). Zoustar has sired nine individual winners and was named Australian Leading First Season Sire.

Firebrand (3 g Tavistock - Danart) - down on the inner, five lengths 600m, and although finding the heavy going too testing for his action in the straight he was good through the line.

Owned by the Te Akau Firebrand Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $220,000 from the Valachi Downs draft at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale.

With progeny selling up to $975,000, Tavistock is clearly the best sire son of Montjeu at stud in New Zealand. His progeny exude the athleticism that saw him brilliantly win two of the toughest Group One 1400-metre races - Mudgway Stakes and the Waikato Sprint - and already won 10 Group One races, while dam Danart (Dancing Dissident) won nine races.

Heat 18 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (¾ lengths, ¾ lengths 50.8)

Red Jakkal (3 g Jakkalberry - Red Alert) - Nik Bakar; got back on the inner to last from barrier one, seven lengths 600m, and drawn widest in the straight he made ground and was good through the line.

He has been purchased for Fortuna Syndications, managed by John Galvin.

The first foal of an unraced mare, his second dam is by Savabeel (Zabeel), from the family of 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Master Belt (Masterclass).   His sire, Jakkalberry (Storming Home) won 12 races, stakes of $2.7m, and holds the record for the fastest last 600m (33.5) in the Melbourne Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m). Red Jakkal is from his first crop.  Strong, consistent, and a high-class performer, Jakkalberry was a Champion (2010 and 2011) in Italy, and Great Britain (2012).

He has a nice Mr. Prospector (Raise a Native) cross through the sire sides of his pedigree, bloodlines that remain prevalent in staying ranks worldwide.

Golden Age (3 g Savabeel - La Belle Epoque) - Dennis Tan; settled second last from the outside gate, seven lengths 600m, and although remaining rearward he was good through the line.

Purchased by David Ellis for $350,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock 2017 Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Lyndhurst Farm, for owners in the Te Akau Golden Age Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

By champion sire Savabeel (Zabeel), his dam sire Montjeu was one of the highest quality horses in the world, winning the Irish Derby, French Derby, and Arc de Triomphe, and experiencing a lot of success when standing at stud in New Zealand.

Also from Lyndhurst, at the Ready to Run Sale, Ellis bought Group One winner Hall of Fame (Savabeel) and stakes performed Te Akau Shark (Rip Van Winkle).

Heat 19 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (long head, ¾ lengths 51.4)

Remember O'Reilly (3 g O'Reilly - Ardeche) - Dennis Tan; began well to co-lead a competitive pace on the inner and kept good momentum going to finish a close third.

From a Dehere mare, trained by the Master, Bart Cummings, he was purchased for $200,000 by David Ellis, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, for owners Wayne and Jo-Ann Phillips.

A colt from the last crop of champion sire O'Reilly, his grand-dam, Diamond Like (Danehill), was one of the most talented fillies to ever race in New Zealand.  Of note, his year older half-brother Mongolian Marshal (High Chaparral) was an impressive winner on Derby Day at Ellerslie, and now won two of his eight starts.

In A Twinkling (3 g Fastnet Rock - Moment In Time) - Opie Bosson; camped on the leaders in fourth and despite appearing unsuited to the going he kept up a solid gallop for fourth.

Although bred to get over more distance, he showed plenty when finishing second in February at his only two-year-old start and appears a promising three-year-old prospect.

Owned by the Te Akau Fastnet Moment Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis), purchased by David Ellis for $250,000, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale.

His dam, Moment in Time, was a dual Group Three winner, dead-heating in a VRC St Leger, and winning six times from 1400m to 2800 metres.   Te Akau has had terrific success with the progeny of Fastnet Rock (Danehill), including 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Rock ‘N' Pop, now standing at Waikato Stud, and Group One winners Heroic Valour, Age Of Fire, and Avantage who also won the Karaka Million.

Heat 20 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (½ a length, ¾ lengths 52.1)

Shebringsmerubies (3 f Sebring - Run Away Ruby) - Dennis Tan; settled last, seven lengths 600m, tracked up strongly behind runners in the straight and without a lot of room she finished just off a line of horses.

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 for $57,500 at the 2017 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.

“She is a beautiful grey filly, and the first foal from a mare that showed versatility to win three times from 1200 metres to a mile,” Ellis said.

Jakkabella (3 f Jakkalberry - Jungle Pago) - Tegan Newman; was easy off a wide gate to settle second last, six lengths 600m, and although remaining back in the field she galloped home solidly nearer the rail and was good after the line.

In training for her breeder, Luigi Muollo (Explosive Bloodstock) who owns Novara Park in Cambridge, where Jakkalberry stood.

Her sire Jakkalberry (Storming Home) won 12 races, stakes of $2.7m, and holds the record for the fastest last 600m (33.5) in the Melbourne Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m). Unfortunately, he died in February this year and this filly is from his first crop.  Strong, consistent, and a high-class performer, Jakkalberry was a Champion (2010 and 2011) in Italy, and Great Britain (2012).  She is from a Darci Brahma mare that has already left promising winner Torre Del Greco (Mettre En Jeu).

Heat 21 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (1 ½ lengths, 2 ½ lengths 51.1)

Lady Jess (3 f Darci Brahma - Lady Classique) - Dennis Tan; began well, three wide on the pace, and having to change ground she kept up a very good gallop wide on the track for second.

Bred by Jessica & John Galvin, and owned by the Fortuna Lady Jess Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), her dam Lady Classique (Stravinsky) was purchased by David Ellis for $72,500 at the 2005 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale and trained by Mark Walker to win six races to 1400 metres. Lady Classique has already left two individual winners of four races.

Ellis also purchased five time Group One winning Champion stallion Darci Brahma (Danehill), a Champion Two-Year-Old, Champion Three-Year-Old, and Champion Sprinter/Miler.

Shezathinka (3 f So You Think - Headsup) - Shafiq Rusof; travelled sixth in a compact field, stayed closer to the inner on straightening and ran home nicely into a photo for third.

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.

So You Think (High Chaparral) was purchased as a yearling by Bart Cummings for $110,000 at the 2008 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, and went on to win 14 races and $8.8 million in prize money before retiring to stud.

He set the world alight when winning the 2009 Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) as a three-year-old, as did Savabeel, and returned to win it again in 2010. He then transferred to be trained by Aidan O'Brien, racing in Europe, where he extended his Group One winning record to ten, defeating 75 Group One winners in the process, and retired to stud as the highest rated son of the English Derby winner and noted Derby sire High Chaparral (Sadler's Wells).

Heat 22 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (head, 1 ¾ lengths 52.1)

3 f Pentire - Platinum Blond - Jason Waddell; travelled well held at the back of a tightly knit field and got home solidly through the centre for third.

The last foal from Platinum Blond (Kaapstad), in training for Windsor Park Stud, the mare has left a host of winners and the family of Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Penny Gem (Pentire).

Live Wire (3 f Power - Jewels Gift) - Shafiq Rusof; was held together back in field, progressed widest around the home turn and finished strongly in tight quarters near the outside rail for fourth.

Purchased by David Ellis for $77,500 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, and owned by the Te Akau Live Wire Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

A filly with a magnificent pedigree, Te Akau had first-hand knowledge having trained her dam Jewels Gift.  The filly has a lovely cross of both Danzig and Blushing Groom in her bloodlines and in appearance suggests she has inherited plenty of quality.

So You Said (3 g So You Think - Spinnawitch) - Chelsea Burdan; travelled three wide in the second division, five lengths 600m, checked approaching the home turn and a staying type he was doing his best work through the line.

A staying colt in the making, owned by the Te Akau Great Minds Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $52,500, from the draft of Tyreel Stud, at the 2017 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.

“His dam won a stakes race over a mile in Sydney, was Group Three placed in the Adrian Knox (2000m) and this colt is a tremendous example of his New Zealand bred sire So You Think,” Ellis said.

“We loved the fact that he has our champion stallion Zabeel in his pedigree (Grand-dam sire) and his third dam Zametta was a very good staying mare by the leading sire Zamazaan.”

So You Think (High Chaparral) was purchased as a yearling by Bart Cummings for $110,000 at the 2008 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, and went on to win 14 races and $8.8 million in prize money before retiring to stud in Australia.  He set the world alight when winning the 2009 Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) as a three-year-old, as did Savabeel, and returned to win it again in 2010.

He then transferred to be trained by Aidan O'Brien, racing in Europe, where he extended his Group One winning record to ten, defeating 75 Group One winners in the process, and retired to stud as the highest rated son of the English Derby winner and noted Derby sire High Chaparral (Sadler's Wells).

Heat 23 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (½ a length, nose 51.5)

Te Akau Dragon (3 g Power - Cool Diamond) - Chelsea Burdan; was handily positioned in fifth, coursed to the inside of runners in the straight and kept up a good gallop to finish a close fifth.

Owned by the New Zealand Chinese Jockey Club & Te Akau Diamond Power Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $120,000, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale.

From a young mare, and closely related to Group Two and multiple winner Gift of Power (Power), he is a horse with plenty of character and natural ability.

Luminous (3 f Reliable Man - Keenly) - Shafiq Rusof; tracked wide, back in the field, working home nicely for sixth and strong after 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).

From the talented race mare Keenly (Keeninsky), winner of three races up to 2200 metres, she has a high-quality depth of stallions on her dam side, with second dam Marlena being by Champion sire Zabeel (Sir Tristram), who in turn is from Success Express mare Vargas Diamond. Success Express is also the dam sire of Champion stallion Savabeel.

3 g Shocking - Walsburgs Dream - Opie Bosson; was four wide on the pace, behind runners widest on the track in the straight, and held together when racing a touch greenly.

In training for Alex Teng (Mandarin Bloodstock), after being purchased for $160,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, he shapes as a genuine staying prospect: by a Melbourne Cup winner, from a mare that won five times up to 2200 metres and grand-dam that won twice up to 2200 metres.

Heat 24 Maiden 4YO & Up 840 metres (2 ¼ lengths, 1 ¼ lengths 52.1)

English Rose (4 m Makfi - Bislieri) - Shafiq Rusof; went forward wide to co-lead inside the 600m and kept up a good gallop for second, without serious urging.

Sister to 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Sofia Rosa (Makfi), a multiple Group winner that culminated her three-year-old season with a victory in the ATC Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m) at Randwick, owned by the Te Akau English Rose Syndicate, she was purchased for $200,000 by David Ellis from the draft of Westbury Stud at the 2016 NZB Premier Yearling Sale.

Although yet to break through, she has registered some good performances and a mare with enormous residual value.

Heat 25 Maiden 4YO & Up 840 metres (½ a length, head 51.4)

Together (4 m Ocean Park - More To Love) - Opie Bosson; raced handily on the inner, across heels on straightening she tracked clear wide at the 350m and worked home under a nice hold for fourth.

Bred and owned by Waikato Stud, she is from the lightly tried but talented Danasinga mare More to Love. 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.

Sire Ocean Park (Thorn Park) hardly requires introduction. Horse of the Year (2012-13) after four consecutive Group One wins: Makfi Challenge Stakes (1400m), Underwood Stakes (1800m), Caulfield Stakes (2000m) and Cox Plate (2040m), many of his progeny have exuded a strong resemblance to his dam sire Zabeel (Sir Tristram) - being from the brilliant filly and New Zealand Broodmare of the Year Sayyida - and his progeny are impressing. With the oldest just turned four, Ocean Park has comparable stats at the same stage to Champion stallion and associate sire Savabeel (Zabeel).

Heat 29 Maiden 4YO & Up 1030 metres (1 ¼ lengths, head 1:04.5)

Bak Da Master (4 g Mastercraftsman - Bak Da Princess) - Tegan Newman; was handy in third, travelled quite keenly near the rail, and worked home nicely in tougher going on the inside of runners.

Purchased by David Ellis for $90,000 at the 2016 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Leanach Lodge, for the Te Akau Master Syndicate, he had two seconds and two thirds up to 2100 metres from four starts in his first campaign.

From a Danske (Danehill) mare that is doing a great job at stud, with winning progeny of twenty races. He is a half-brother to Group One Easter Handicap winner Pondarosa Miss (High Chaparral) and Group One placed multiple stakes winner Ecuador (High Chaparral), in Australia.