Te Akau Te Teko Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses at Te Teko on Wednesday 23 October -

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: true

Heat 3 Open 1000 metres (long neck, 1 ½ lengths 59.2)

You're Welcome  (4 g Camelot - Chorus of Angels) - Opie Bosson; began well, cover in fourth, clear on straightening and worked home nicely over a sprint trip for fifth.

A debut winner with rich international staying pedigree, owned by Steve Mace, Paul Gallen, Wayne Knight, Jim & Pauline Hepburn, Wade Graham, Matthew Fitzgerald, Damian Nash and Brett Lambert, he was purchased by David Ellis for $200,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the Curraghmore draft.

Heat 5 2YO 600 metres (1 ¾ lengths, ¾ lengths 34.8)

Celestial Crown (2 f Proisir - Sarsarun) - Craig Grylls; went forward easily off the outside gate to contest the pace three wide, quickened to lead 200m and showed plenty to win easily. 

Owned by the Te Akau Crowning Glory Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis), she was bought by David Ellis, from the Hallmark Stud draft, following the 2019 Karaka Book 2 Sale. The stable had immediate success with Proisir two-year-old filly Harlow, purchased by Ellis for $41,000, while the dam impressed winning seven times up to 1600 metres.

Madame Moet  (2 f Iffraaj - Champagne Katie) - Troy Harris; tracked up with cover from a wide draw and held together she finished strongly for second. 

A $70,000 purchase by David Ellis, 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 One stallion Iffraaj (Zafonic), from a stakes performed mare by five-time Group One winner and multiple Champion sire Darci Brahma (Danehill).

2 f Dissident - Skywards  - Opie Bosson; was quickly into gear from barrier one to co-lead a competitive pace and held together for a close fourth.

By Horse of the Year and Champion Sprinter in Australia, Dissident (Sebring), out of a mare from a good Pencarrow family, she was purchased by David Ellis for $30,000 at 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

Heat 6 2YO 800 metres (long head, ¾ lengths 46.6)

No Limits (2 c Savabeel - Make A Wish) - Opie Bosson; began smartly to lead a competitive pace and quickened under a hand ride, with no extra pressure, to finish close up in third.

Bred and offered by Waikato Stud, and owned by the Te Akau 2019 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), the impeccable looking colt was the 2019 Karaka sales topper ($1.4m) purchased by David Ellis. He was freshened after impressively winning his first trial here in August.

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

Under Her Spell (2 f Not A Single Doubt - Bewitching) - Craig Grylls; got back in running, five lengths 600m, and seen doing her best work through the line.

Having her second trial for the Te Akau Spellbound Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), after trialling well for fourth here in August, she was purchased by David Ellis for $150,000, from the draft of Milan Park, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. 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.

D'Oro Mexicano (2 f Vancouver - Mexican Rose) - Troy Harris; steadied behind a competitive pace but appeared to lose her action in the straight and given an easy time.

She had trialled well for second here in August. Owned by David and Matt Peacocke, Oliver Saxton, and the Te Akau Canadian Rose Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she is by Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m) winning colt Vancouver (Medaglia d'Oro), while her dam, Mexican Rose (Volksraad), was a Champion 2YO & 3YO in Singapore, having impressed winning two of her three starts in New Zealand. She was purchased by David Ellis for $150,000, from the draft of Phoenix Park, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

Heat 7 2YO 800 metres (2 lengths, ½ a head 46.6)

Heracles  (2 g Pins - Cerberus) - Cameron Lammas; travelled boldly three wide on the pace and sustained his run for third.

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.

The Mighty Spar  (2 c Savabeel - O'Dianne) - Troy Harris; pushed up from barrier one, given a competitive pace on the inside of his two stable-mates, and just peaked on his run to finish fourth.

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.

Amarelinha (2 f Savabeel - Hopscotch) - Opie Bosson; began well to race between her two stable-mates on pace and not asked for too much over a sprint trip in finishing fifth.

Freshened after quickening stylishly for third in August when having her first trial at Te Teko, she was purchased by David Ellis for $300,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud. Owned by the Te Akau Hopskip'n'jump Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she is from the family of Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m) winner and Australian Champion Three-Year-Old Metal Bender (Danasinga).

Heat 11 Maiden 3YO 800 metres (2 ¼ lengths, head 46.1)

3 g Sacred Falls - Foiled  - Opie Bosson; was rearward and wide off the outside gate, six lengths 600m, and a touch awkward in his action to remain back. 

In training for Raffles Farm, having his second trial, a half-brother to stable-mate Prise De Fer (Savabeel) who won before proving competitive against the best staying three-year-olds leading up to the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) and has won again this season.

Heat 12 Maiden 3YO 800 metres (1 ¼ lengths, ¾ lengths 47.6)

Hot Off the Press  (3 g Shamexpress - Hot Stash) - Troy Harris; began well from barrier one to co-lead on the inner, tackled at the 200m and fought solidly for third.

Owned by the Te Akau Hot Express Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis), he was purchased by David Ellis for $185,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park. From a mare that won four races over 1000 metres in Sydney, Hot Stash has left three individual winner of 11 races, while his sire, Shamexpress (O'Reilly), won the Newmarket Handicap (Gr. 1, 1200m) down the straight six furlongs at Flemington, and regarded as one of the fastest sons of O'Reilly to race in Australia.

Heat 14 Maiden 3YO 1000 metres (nose, neck 1:00.3)

Rakuten  (3 c Savabeel - Millililli) - Opie Bosson; worked forward wide, three wide pace, keeping up a strong gallop without urging for a close fourth. 

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).

Heat 15 Maiden 3YO 1000 metres (neck, 6 lengths 58.6)

Reiko (3 f Reliable Man - Lady Eiko) - Opie Bosson; began smartly to lead, then trail, ranged three wide on straightening and quickened well while drawing clear with a rival (second).

Owned and bred by Joan Egan, she is the second foal from Lady Eiko (Stravinsky), a winner of two races, and a three-quarter sister to November Rain (Stravinsky), runner up in the both the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m) and NZ Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) before winning the Cal Isuzu Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m).  

Heat 16 Maiden 3YO 1000 metres (½ a length, 2 ½ lengths 1:00.3)

Romantic Lady  (3 f Power - Romantic Time) - Opie Bosson; travelled three wide fifth off an outside gate, and held together she easily maintained her position. 

Trialled solidly before presenting well and racing accordingly when third on debut and freshened after a subsequent second in August at Ruakaka. Purchased by David Ellis at the2018 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). 

3 f Rock ‘n' Pop - Primo Quest - Troy Harris; was awkwardly away from the outside gate, seven lengths 600m, and worked home okay widest on the track over a sprint trip.

By the Te Akau trained 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Rock ‘N' Pop (Fastnet Rock), owned by the Te Akau Rock ‘N' Pop Syndicate, from a mare that was also trained by Te Akau to win seven races and the first horse for loyal owners Glenn & Cathie Holmes, who share in the breeding and ownership of the filly along with others that also raced the dam.

Heat 17 Maiden 3YO 1000 metres (long head, head 59.9)

Combat Queen  (3 f Pierro - Missy Cummings) - Troy Harris; began well to co-lead on the outer and kept up a good gallop without urging for third. 

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 and additional Group One winners Arcadia Queen, Pierata, and Shadow Hero. She is owned by the Te Akau Combat Queen Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) which includes Boys Get Paid.

Spirit of Gold  (3 f Medaglia d'Oro - Full of Spirit) - Opie Bosson; got back to last after beginning awkwardly, improved four lengths between runners at the 600m and finished in midfield. 

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).

Heat 18 Maiden 3YO 1000 metres (1 ¼ lengths, 2 ½ lengths 59.0)

Star of Bombay (3 f Atlante - Astardia) - Troy Harris; got back to last off a wide gate, eight lengths 600m, but quickened very well widest on the track for third. 

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.

Crimson Star  (3 f Burgundy - Red Tulip) - Opie Bosson; worked forward wide off the outside gate, three wide fifth 600m, and not asked for too much over the last furlong to finish fifth. 

Owned by the Te Akau Crimson Star Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Trained by Te Akau, her sire Burgundy (Redoute's Choice) was an immensely talented horse that won five stakes races before retiring to stallion duties at Cambridge Stud, while dam, Red Tulip (Red Ransom), won twice to 1300 metres in Australia, and so far left two individual winners of nine races.

Heat 19 Maiden 3YO 1000 metres (1 ¾ lengths, head 59.4)

Vincere  (3 f Pins - Lasting Luck) - Opie Bosson; was posted wide just off the pace, levelled at the 200m and went on to win very well. 

Freshened after making ground when having her first trial in July at Te Rapa, she was purchased by David Ellis for $115,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, and owned by David and Hamish Coleman.

Enrichment  (3 g Rock ‘n' Pop - Enhance) - Troy Harris; got back off the outside gate, last and seven lengths 600m, before finishing strongly to the outside of runners for third. 

Bred and owned by Karyn Fenton-Ellis (MNZM), Lydia Ellis and Julia-Rose Ellis, he is the first foal from their talented filly Enhance (Saperavi), who stylishly won her first two starts. He has registered a second and fourth in two starts and is the type to keep improving.  

Heat 20 Maiden 3YO 1000 metres (¾ lengths, 2 ¾ lengths 59.4)

Zouluminous  (3 f Zoustar - Luminous Harmony) - Troy Harris; began well to take up a handy position in fourth, ranged three wide into the straight and quickened with a strong finish for second.

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.

Markus Aurelius  (3 g Ghibellines - Evancho) - Opie Bosson; settled back on the inner, four lengths 600m, was a touch awkward looking to balance in the straight but good through the line over a sprint trip.

Owned by the Te Akau Great Southern Man Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn-Fenton Ellis), he was purchased by David Ellis for $13,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock South Island Sale, from the draft of White Robe Lodge, and has a lovely cross of the most successful sire of all time: Danehill (349 stakes winners), through the dam side of Ghibellines and as the sire of dam sire Shinzig.

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