Te Akau Te Teko Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled 28 horses at Te Teko on Tuesday 6 August.

Weather: fine, track: Slow9, rail: out 14 metres.

Heat 1 Open 840 metres (½ a length, nose 51.1)

Queen of the Air (4 m I Am Invincible - Flying Single) - Opie Bosson; was shadowed in front from barrier one and remained on a nice rein to finish in a photo for second.

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.

Griffin  (5 g Iffraaj - Double Elle) - Joe Kamaruddin; began well, held together midfield, and flattened out nicely late in the piece for a close fourth. 

The brother to Te Akau trained $1.2m earner Gingernuts (Iffraaj), winner of New Zealand Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m), and Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m), Griffin impressively won his only start as a two-year-old for the Te Akau Slam Dunk Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) and came into his own last season with three wins from six starts. He was purchased by David Ellis for $90,000 from the New Zealand Bloodstock online auction site Gavelhouse.

Byzantine  (4 g Savabeel - Baradevi) - Michael McNab; was easy off the gate to settle back on the inner, four lengths 600m, and angled clear on straightening he was held together before finishing fifth.

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.

Ripley  (6 g Rip Van Winkle - Visque) - Troy Harris; was easy off the outside gate to settle last, seven lengths 600m, making steady ground in the straight and good through the line. 

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

Heat 2 Open 840 metres (3 lengths, ¾ lengths 50.1)

Leaderboard (4 g Street Cry - Flower Fairy) - Opie Bosson; received a nice trail in third before winding up a good finish in the straight for second. 

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.

Duck Road  (4 g Ekraar - Silver Buttons) - Joe Kamaruddin; began well to travel comfortably in second on the outer and remained on a nice rein to finish third.

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. 

Summer Monsoon (5 g Stratum - Princess Narine) - Troy Harris; settled last, four lengths 600m, and got into his work nicely over the concluding stages when closing for fourth.

Purchased by Te Akau Principal David Ellis at the 2016 Sydney Easter Yearling Sale, he won his second start and stakes' placed as a two-year-old in the Matamata Slipper (Listed, 1200m), won again fresh-up last season, and a fully mature, strong, Australian bred sprinter type, he can advance on his two wins to date.

Remington  (5 g Darci Brahma - Kudamm) - Anna Jones; steadied off the outside gate to settle back on the outer, five lengths 600m, and not asked for much in a quiet trial.

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, his four wins and four seconds from 10 starts is a top record to go on with.

Heat 3 3YO 840 metres (½ a length, ¾ lengths 51.2)

Aotea Lad  (3 g Savabeel - Corsage) - Opie Bosson; began well to situate outside the leader, in line through the straight before being steadied when tightened late. 

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.

Louis Luck (3 g Dissident - My Option) - Troy Harris; was easy off the gate to settle last, seven lengths 600m, and although remaining back he picked up nicely against the rail in the straight.

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 4 Open 1040 metres (1 ½ lengths, nose 1:04.9)

Mazzuro  (5 g Rip Van Winkle - Mini Pearl) - Opie Bosson; found a nice spot on the outer with cover, ranged rounding the home turn and never off the bridle in quiet trial to finish close up in fifth.

Owned by Bill & Sandra Duell, who raced multiple stakes' performer and 12-time winner Natuzzi (Coats Choice) with Paul Richards, Mazzuro campaigned very well last autumn in Melbourne, winning twice to 2100 metres and registering a second and third from four starts. 

Heat 6 2YO 630 metres (dead-heat, 1 ½ lengths 38.1)

Ready For This  (2 c More than Ready - Costarosa) - Michael McNab; got back to last from the outside barrier, before quickening with a big finish to level in front on the line. 

First trial - purchased by David Ellis for $180,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, and owned by the Te Akau Ready to Roll Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). His dam, Costarosa (Encosta De Lago), is a half-sister to Members' Joy (Hussonet) who left two-year-old stakes winner Pure Elation (I Am Invincible) in Australia, a very good filly that impressively won the Percy Sykes (Gr. 2, 1200m) as a two-year-old at Randwick, and resumed at three winning the Furious Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on the same course. 

Heracles  (2 c Pins - Cerberus) - Craig Grylls; began well to co-lead from barrier one, railed well rounding the home turn and kept going strongly for third. 

First trial - 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 7 2YO 630 metres (¾ lengths, 2 ½ lengths 38.1)

2 c Bullpoint - Dollhouse- Troy Harris; went forward from the outside of four runners to position second, going to the line in front and under a hold. 

First trial - in training for Chris Rutten, who raced Champion Two-Year-Old nominee and stable-mate Yourdeel (Dundeel), winner of both juvenile Group Ones last season: Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) and Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m). By a son of Champion sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill), his dam, Dollhouse, by Snitzel (Redoute's Choice), won three races to 1200 metres in Australia, from the family of NZ Breeders Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Rockabubble (Bubble Gum Fellow).

The Mighty Spar  (2 c Savabeel - O'Dianne) - Opie Bosson; was awkwardly away from barrier one, improved nearer the rail on straightening and kept up a good gallop. 

First trial - owned by the Te Akau 2019 Karaka Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he was purchased by David Ellis at the Book 1 sale earlier this year from the draft of Waikato Stud. A colt by Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) winning three-year-old Savabeel (Zabeel), a five-time Champion sire that has proved himself one of the most versatile stallions in Australasia. The colt has a lovely cross of immortal sire Northern Dancer on the dam side of Zabeel, the sire of Savabeel, and through the sire line of dam sire O'Reilly.

Heat 8 2YO 630 metres (2 lengths, 2 ½ lengths 38.3)

Cool Aza Beel  (2 c Savabeel - Cool ‘N' Sassy) - Michael McNab; was not rushed from barrier one, cornered well, and once through to lead near the rail he went on to win under a hold. 

First trial - 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 9 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (3 lengths, 1 length 50.4)

Combat Queen (3 f Pierro - Missy Cummings) - Troy Harris; was situated fifth inner on a competitive tempo, five lengths 600m, and remaining off the pace was not asked for too much. 

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.

Royal Guard  (3 g Charm Spirit - Her Royal Highness) - Michael McNab; steadied off the outside gate, he got going keenly nearing the 600m, before quickening through with a good effort for fifth.

Bred and owned by Windsor Park Stud, a half-brother to stable-mate and winner six races, including the Hawkesbury Cup (Gr. 3, 1600m), Kingsguard (Rip Van Winkle), from impressive stakes' winning mare Her Royal Highness (Volksraad). 

Heat 10 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (½ a head, 3 ½ lengths 50.5)

Star of Bombay  (3 f Atlante - Astardia) - Joe Kamaruddin; eased to last, eight lengths 600m, travelling ungenerously at times, she made up ground inside the 200m and was good through the line.

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.

Confectionery  (3 f Per Incanto - Not A Jaffa) - Opie Bosson; tracked along in fifth, five lengths 600m, and remained off the pace on slow footing over a sprint trip.

Having her second trial, for the Te Akau Jaffalicious Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), her dam is a half-sister to Hong Kong Horse of the Year Werther (Tavistock), both being out of Bagalollies (Zabeel). 

Heat 11 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (1 ½ lengths, ½ a length 51.6)

Zouluminous (3 f Zoustar - Luminous Harmony) - Michael McNab; was three wide in fifth before tracking into third nearing the home turn and she kept finding in the straight to win well. 

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.

3 f Reliable Man - Scene Queen- Anna Jones; trailed from barrier one before going keenly approaching the 600m and a touch awkward in the straight after being steadied, she rolled on okay after the line.

In training for Mr. Fudong Niu and Mr. Oscar Yue, her dam, Scene Queen (Redoute's Choice), has already left three individual winners and the filly carries a cross of immortal sire Northern Dancer. 

Heat 12 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (head, ½ a length 51.0)

Rakuten  (3 c Savabeel - Millililli) - Opie Bosson; travelled quite keenly in third, he levelled at the 200m and went on to win under a hand ride.

Purchased by David Ellis and Aquis Farm at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from Ohukia Lodge, he is owned by the Te Akau Rakuten Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) and Aquis Farm Syndicate (Mgr: Shane McGrath). By five-time Champion sire Savabeel (Zabeel), his dam, Millililli (Pins), is a half-sister to Singapore Champion 2YO Colt, 3YO Miler, and Stayer, now stallion, Onceuponatime (Van Nistelrooy), from the impressive race winning mare Scarlet Runner, a daughter of 2000 Guineas winner and renowned sire Kingdom Bay. Millililli has left three individual winners of eight races, including Group Three placed winner of three Goodsav (Savabeel).

3 f Charm Spirit - Applauding- Troy Harris; settled fifth from a wide gate, five lengths 600m and held her position in the straight. 

Owned and bred by Adam Pascoe and Windsor Park Stud, from the first crop of triple Group One winner Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit), standing at Windsor Park, she is from a Pentire mare, in turn from Easter Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner and subsequent talented producer Honor Bound (Honor Grades).

Heat 13 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (neck, 2 lengths 51.0)

Rhapsody in Blue  (3 f Medaglia d'Oro - Kablues) - Michael McNab; was steadied off the outside barrier to settle last, six lengths 600m, circled widest rounding the home turn and went on to win stylishly after travelling up to the leaders under a hold.

Purchased by David Ellis 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 trialled well before producing a courageous effort for second when debuting on Heavy11 in June at Trentham. She is from a terrific family on the 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).

Boutonniere  (3 g Burgundy - Bouquet) - Chelsea Burdan; was back on the inner from barrier one, six lengths 600m, and remained held together after being checked and denied room against the rail at the 200m.

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 14 Maiden 4YO & Up 840 metres (nose, ½ a head 51.1)

Oceans Eight  (4 m Ocean Park - Ruud Van Slaats) - Sam Weatherley; positioned sixth on the outer, five lengths 600m, was clear wide at the 300m and good through the line after being held together behind runners. 

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 15 Maiden 3YO 1040 (3 lengths, 1 ½ lengths 1:05.9)

Skybound  (3 f Shooting to Win - Deliciano) - Troy Harris; was handily placed on the inner from barrier one, went forward outside the leader approaching the home turn and kept going solidly for third. 

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. Purchased by David Ellis from the Pencarrow Draft at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale and owned by the Te Akau Shooting Queen Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

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