Te Akau Te Teko Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses at Te Teko - Thursday 3 September -

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: out 12 metres 800m - winning post, remainder true

Heat 1 Open 840 metres (¾ length, neck 48.3)

Challa (4 g Dissident - Are There Any) - Joe Kamaruddin; began
smartly to range outside the leader and he kept up a strong gallop for second.

Stakes placed, a fresh-up winner
last season and runner-up three times, purchased by David Ellis for $100,000,
from the draft of Trelawney Stud, at the NZB 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale in
January, owned by the Te Akau Challa Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Zouluminous (4 m Zoustar - Luminous Harmony) - Craig Grylls;
travelled three wide fifth, widest turning in and she let down nicely for
fourth.

A filly that improved with racing to win her fourth start by four lengths in January at Wanganui, 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 talented dual Group 3 winner Neena Rock.

Scottish Star (5 m Bullbars - Highland Lights) - Diego Montes de
Oca; travelled handily and she quickened well when asked at the 200m to finish
fifth.

An authoritative debut winner,
and placed three times since in six starts, she is a half-sister to former
stable-mate Our Abbadean (Lookin At Lucky), a dual Group 2 winner and twice
Group 1 placed. Purchased by David Ellis for $46,000 at the 2017 New Zealand
Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale, from the draft of Wentwood Grange, and owned
by the Te Akau Scottish Star Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Fabulous Flight (6 g I Am Invincible - Court Flying) - Opie Bosson;
settled last off the outside gate, seven lengths 600m, and although finishing
off the pace he picked up okay when the field quickened.

A winner four times to 1600
metres for the Te Akau Fabulous Flight Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis
MNZM), owned by the Te Akau Fabulous Flight Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis
MNZM), after being purchased by David Ellis for $205,000 from the draft of
Lyndhurst Farm at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale. He is a
lovely type of horse with excellent depth in his pedigree.

Miss Scandinavia (6 m Smart Missile - Miss Helsinki) - Troy Harris;
got back on the inner, six lengths 600m, and remained back over a sprint trip.

Richly bred, she was purchased by David Ellis from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2016 Sydney Easter Yearling Sale. Her consistency has been rewarded with two wins and five seconds for the Te Akau 2016 Scandinavia Syndicate.

Heat 2 Open 840 metres (3 ¼ lengths, short head 49.2)

Xplosion (4 m Showcasing - Xpress) - Diego Montes de Oca; began
well to lead a steady pace and quickened well for second.

The year younger sister to
Wakefield Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) winner Xpression, who also finished second to
Te Akau Champion Two-Year-Old and quadruple Group 1 winner Avantage (Fastnet
Rock) in the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m), and third in the 1000 Guineas
(Gr. 1, 1600m), she recorded a well deserved victory in January at Wanganui.
Purchased by David Ellis for $115,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 2 Sale, from the
draft of Nala Park, and owned by Te Akau Xplosive Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn
Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Harlow (4 m Proisir - Joan's Girl) - Opie Bosson; camped on the
leaders and she picked up well in the straight for third.

Purchased by David Ellis for $41,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock South Island Sale, from the draft of Pear Tree Farm, and owned by the Te Akau Blonde Bombshell Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). She staged a last to first effort when winning as a two-year-old, spelled following a creditable fifth in the Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m), had just the one start at three and certainly capable of going on.

Pinultimate (5 m Pins - Lost In Dubai) - Joe Kamaruddin; got back
from barrier one, travelled easily on a steady tempo, and had more to offer
when finishing on the bridle in fifth.

A four-length winner on debut and three from five in total, she was 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 is a half-sister to Group 1 placed Star Treasure (Lonhro), from the family of 2016 Karaka Million winner Xiong Feng (Iffraaj) and Maldivian (Zabeel), triple Group 1 winner of the Cox Plate, Orr Stakes, and Yalumba Stakes.

Excitonic (4 g Savabeel - Bint Piavonic) - Troy Harris; was handy
inner on a steady tempo, a touch flat-footed when they sprinted in the straight
but he trialled solidly.

Purchased by David Ellis for $230,000 from the draft of Brighthill Farm at the New Zealand Bloodstock Book1 Karaka Sale, and owned by Te Akau Excitonic Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he delivered emphatically over 1400 metres in January at Rotorua. By six-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), his dam, Bint Piavonic (Enosta De Lago), is the daughter of terrific nine-time winner Piavonic (Scenic), who defeated Sunline (Desert Sun) and Falvelon (Alannon) in the Manikato Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m).

Heat 3 Open 1040 metres (½ length, 1 ½ lengths 1:01.2)

Te Akau Caliburn (6 g Camelot - Enchanting Evening) - Opie Bosson;
got back off a wide gate, improved sixth and four lengths 600m, and rounded off
stylishly for fourth.

A gorgeous horse, bought privately by Te Akau principal David Ellis in Europe, he followed a win in February with an extremely brave last start effort for a close second in the New Zealand St Leger (Listed, 2600m) on 14 March at Trentham. Owned by the 2019 European Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis), at the time of purchase he had won two races to 2400 metres in the UK.

Military Step (5 g Tavistock - Marching On) - Joe Kamaruddin; began
smartly to race alongside the leader and just peaked on his run over the
concluding stages.

Purchased by David Ellis for
$62,500 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the
draft of Seaton Park, and owned by the Te Akau Quick March Syndicate (Mgr:
Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Following consecutive thirds with an easy win over
1600 metres, the first foal from a talented Pentire mare, Marching On, he has
the ability to reach higher grades. 

Heat 4 Open 1040 metres (½ length, 1 ½ lengths 1:00.8)

Pokuru's Gift (5 g Rock ‘n' Pop - Pokuru Boxer) - Diego Montes de
Oca; led from barrier one and kept going boldly for second.

Bred and owned by Ian Farrelly,
from the second crop of stallion Rock ‘N' Pop (Fastnet Rock), purchased by
David Ellis to win the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) for the Te Akau Rock ‘N' Pop
Syndicate. A dual winner, Pokuru's Gift is the second foal from a Stravinsky
(Nureyev) mare, while his grand-dam, Pokuru Star (O'Reilly), has left three
individual winners of six races.

Vicenza (4 m Sacred Falls - Tonic) - Samantha Collett; positioned
in midfield, lost her place a touch when the field quickened but okay
nonetheless.

Bred and owned by Paul Ryan, she
recorded back-to-back wins before spelling in March. From the first crop of
quadruple Group 1 winner Sacred Falls (O'Reilly), out of triple stakes winning
mare Tonic (Blues Traveller), who was owned and raced by Ryan. South Island
Filly of the Year in 2003, ridden in two of her three stakes victories by Paul
Richards, Tonic has already left six individual winners of 25 races.

Heat 5 Open 1040 metres (2 lengths, 1 ¼ lengths 1:01.0)

Reiko (4 m Reliable Man - Lady Eiko) - Craig Grylls; found a good
spot before being pushed three wide at the 600m and rounded off boldly for second.

Owned and bred by Joan Egan, from
the family of impressive winner November Rain (Stravinsky), her dam, Lady Eiko
(Stravinsky), won two races to 1600 metres. She was given time following a very
good debut win over 1200 metres in November at Avondale, and since finished
third on the same course.

Awareness (4 m Redoute's Choice - Aware) - Joe Kamaruddin; sprang
out, trailed inner, and she boxed on well without being pressured.

Given time since winning on debut in December, she was purchased by David Ellis for $300,000 at the 2018 Sydney Easter Yearling Sale, from the draft of Newhaven Park Stud, owned by the Te Akau Very Aware Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) and Luke Kemeys (Boys Get Paid).

Heat 6 Open 1040 metres (½ length, ¾ length 1:02.0)

High Achiever (4 g Pins - Thee Achiever) - Joe Kamaruddin;
travelled keenly outside the leader and he kept up a solid gallop for fourth.

He confirmed his ability with a
debut win over 1200 metres in January at Te Aroha. Owned by the Te Akau High
Achievers Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis
for $100,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the Milan Park draft. From a great South Island family of the Dennis brothers (Tony,
Joe, Martin and Ray Dennis), including 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner The
Jewel (O'Reilly), his dam won three times to 2100m.

Rhapsody in Blue (4 m Medaglia d'Oro - Kablues) - Diego Montes de
Oca; began well from barrier one, steadied trail, and finished off them over a
sprint trip.

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
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 1 placed stakes winner Vernanme (O'Reilly).

Heat 9 2YO 640 metres (¾ length, 1 ¼ lengths 36.6)

2 c Extreme Choice - Unrevealed - Opie Bosson; pushed up to co-lead
on the inner from barrier one and quickened appreciably to win well.

From the first crop of dual Group
1 winning sprinter Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt), out of Unrevealed
(Forest Wildcat), winner of four races to 1400 metres in Japan. He is in
training for Mr. Edmund Wong.

Heat 11 2YO 640 metres (head, 1 ½ lengths

Charmaines' Dream (3 f Charm Spirit - Scatter Cat) - Troy Harris;
began smartly to travel keenly outside the leader and she kept galloping boldly
for a close 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 1 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 for $87,500 at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock
Ready to Run.

Heat 12 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (¾ length, 1 ½ lengths 48.8)

Kahma Lass (3 f Darci Brahma - Distinctive Lass) - Opie Bosson;
raced handy but wide, gained an advantage at the 300m and she went on win
stylishly.

Owned by Brendan Lindsay MNZM
& Jo Lindsay at Cambridge Stud, she was purchased by David Ellis for
$290,000 at the Karaka 2019 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud.
From the same draft in 2015, Ellis also bought her brother, Distinctive Darci.
Himself a smart four-length trial winner on debut at Te Aroha, he transferred
to Mark Walker in Singapore, winning nine races, including a Group 2 and over
NZ$1 million in prize money. His half-brother Kuro (Denman) has won five stakes
races in a total of eight wins, and Southern Lad (Ocean Park) has won five in
Australia.

Heat 13 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (nose, 1 ½ lengths 48.7)

Ready For This (3 g More Than Ready - Costarosa) - Diego Montes de
Oca; began smartly from a wide gate to secure a good position in fourth and he
kept up a good gallop after ducking down to the inner.

Won his first two trials and freshened following two starts last October at Riccarton. 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. 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).

Heat 14 Maiden 3YO 840 metres (½ length, ¾ length 48.5)

Rip Van Gogh (3 g Rip Van Winkle - On The Move) - Opie Bosson;
steadied off the pace, six lengths 600m, he travelled up wide into the straight
and kept galloping strongly for third. 

Purchased by David Ellis for $122,500 at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Phoenix Park, and owned by Te Akau Fast Action Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). By Rip Van Winkle (Galileo), the sire of dual Group 1 winning stable-mate Te Akau Shark, he is the first foal from a mare by exceptional Australian broodmare sire More Than Ready (Southern Halo). Renowned the world over, More Than Ready is one the best sire of winners (3426) worldwide and also an outstanding sire of sires.

Heat 15 Maiden 4YO & Up 840 metres (1 length, 1 ½ lengths 48.3)

Rakuten (4 g Savabeel - Millililli) - Joe Kamaruddin; raced handily
on the inner from barrier one and under his own steam sustained a strong run
for third.

Continuing to improve, never
further back than fourth in five starts, he was purchased by David Ellis and
Aquis Farm at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from Ohukia
Lodge, and owned by the Te Akau Rakuten Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis
MNZM) and Aquis Farm Syndicate (Mgr: Shane McGrath).

Heat 16 Maiden 4YO & Up 840 metres (½ length, 3 ½ lengths 47.9)

Keke Star (4 m Shooting To Win - Kekova) - Danielle Johnson;
travelled boldly behind the leaders, through to contend 300m and she kept
galloping strongly for a close second.

In training for Sam &
Catriona Williams (Little Avondale Stud) and connections, dam Kekova (Elusive
City) won impressively to 1600 metres, including the Wairarapa Breeder's Stakes
(Listed, 1600m) and Great Easter Stakes (Listed, 1400m), and a half-sister to
another very good LA Stud stakes performer, Rapid Kay (Towkay), leaving five
individual winners of 18 races.

Heat 17 Maiden 3YO 1040 metres (3 lengths, head 1:01.3)

Amarelinha (3 f Savabeel - Hopscotch) - Opie Bosson; began well to
race outside the leader and she got away at the 300m to win impressively.

Purchased by David Ellis for $300,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud and 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 18 Maiden 3YO 1040 metres (neck, ¾ length 1:01.6)

Devoted (3 g Contributer - Mapmaker) - Opie Bosson; began well from
a wide gate, caught three out third to the 600m and she sustained a strong
gallop for third.

Purchased by David Ellis for
$55,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Mapperley Stud, and
owned by the Te Akau Cartography Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). From
the first crop of Champion Australian Middle Distance Horse of the Year
Contributer (High Chaparral), a dual Group 1 winner of the Chipping Norton (Gr.
1, 1600m) and Ranvet Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m). His dam, Mapmaker (Volksraad), won
twice and placed in the Trentham Stakes (Gr. 3, 2100m).

Heat 19 Maiden 3YO 1040 metres (1 ¼ lengths, ¾ length 1:01.7)

Maasir (3 g Proisir - Maakel) - Opie Bosson; got back from a wide
draw, seven lengths 600m, and worked home very well in tight-quarters for
third.

By emerging young sire Proisir
(Choisir), from a mare by International stallion Swain (Nashwan) that has left
three winners of five races including Kidwelly (Dylan Thomas) who finished
second in the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) and fourth in the Sir Tristram
Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m). He was purchased by David Ellis for $72,500 at
the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Leanach
Lodge.

Heat 22 Maiden 3YO 1040 metres (5 ½ lengths, 1 ½ length 59.7)

3 f Darci Brahma - Quintette - Danielle Johnson (main picture); was back and wide from an outside draw, seven lengths 600m, but kept finding the line wide out for fourth.

Bred and owned by Karyn Fenton-Ellis (MNZM), Greg Tomlinson, David and Matt Peacocke, and Oliver Saxton. As a three-year-old, grand-dam Everswindell (Align) finished second in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and third in both the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m) and Lowland Stakes (Gr. 3, 2100m), before placing in the Wellington Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m) and winning the New Zealand Cup (Gr. 2, 3200m). Everswindell is the dam of Te Akau trained stakes placed filly Quintette (Alamosa).

Heat 23 Maiden 4YO & Up 1040 metres (1 ¼ lengths, neck 1:00.8)

Entriviere (4 m Tavistock - Marcey's Belt) - Danielle Johnson;
began well to contest the pace, steadied to midfield 600m, but she got them
easily at the 300m and went on to win under a hold.

From the family of triple Group 1
winner of the Cox Plate, Orr Stakes, and Yalumba Stakes, Maldivian (Zabeel),
she was bred by Kevin & Kathleen Gray, Copper Belt Lodge.

Secret Amour (4 m Niagara - My Secret) - Diego Montes de Oca; began
well to co-lead a competitive pace on the inner and kept up a strong gallop
near the rail for third.

Owned by Scott Goodwin, by
successful sire Niagara (Encosta De Lago), she is the first foal from a
Sakhee's Secret mare that won two (1400m) of her five starts, in turn from
capable mare Keepolaria (Keeper) who won twice to 2000 metres.

Heat 24 Maiden 4YO & Up 1040 metres (length, neck 1:00.5)

When In Paris (4 m Pierro - Bulle De Champagne) - Troy Harris; got
back from a wide draw, seven lengths 600m, and allowed to run home wide on the
track under her own steam.

Owned by the Te Akau Champagne Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was purchased by David Ellis for $160,000 at the 2018 Sydney Easter Yearling Sale. Pierro only ever ran in stakes races, winning 11 of his 14 starts. The unbeaten Triple Crown winner as a two-year-old amassed $4.5 million and already had yearling progeny reach $1.5m in the sales ring.

Laurentium (4 g Sacred Falls - Alberton Princess) - Opie Bosson;
began well to lead, steadied inner, but never found a lot in the straight.

Owned by Linda Buttle, he is a
half-brother to gifted three-year-old Brutal (O'Reilly), winner of three from
three in Melbourne, before claiming the Doncaster Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) at
Royal Randwick, and now retired to stud.

Heat 25 Maiden 4YO & Up 1040 metres (½ length, 1 ¾ lengths 1:00.8)

Mai Tai (4 m Atlante - Tropical Punch) - Diego Montes de Oca;
travelled up three wide on the pace to the 600m and sustained a very good
gallop for second.

In training for the Hawkins
family at Wentwood Grange, she produced at notable effort for fourth at her
only start on 11 March at Matamata. Her dam, Tropical Punch (Faltaat), was
Group 3 and Listed placed to 1600 metres, and the she carries a Mr. Prospector
cross as the sire of Faltaat and through the dam lines of Atlante.

4 g Shamoline Warrior - Baldaque - Opie Bosson; went forward to
contest the pace and fought well for fifth.

In training for Joe and Max
Smithies at Monovale Farm, from a mare by Champion Broodmare Sire Grosvenor
(Sir Tristram), he in turn is from a mare by Success Express (the dam-sire of
Savabeel) and Champion Sire Decies. He is a half-brother to The Armani (Hard
Spun), who won 12 races from 1200m - 1950m in Australia.

Heat 26 Maiden 4YO & Up 1040 metres (nose, length 1:01.5)

Radegast (4 g Savabeel - Marveen) - Diego Montes de Oca; pushed up
from barrier one to lead a strong early pace and kept up a competitive gallop
for third.

Owned by Te Akau Radegast
Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he was purchased by Te Akau principal
David Ellis for $175,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale,
from the draft of Kilgravin Lodge.

Confectionery (4 m Per Incanto - Not A Jaffa) - Shaun McKay; began well, eased to camp on the leaders and not asked for too much in finishing just off them.

Owned by Te Akau Jaffalicious Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased as yearling by David Ellis for $290,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Little Avondale Stud, her dam, Not A Jaffa (Iffraaj), is a half-sister to Hong Kong Horse of the Year Werther (Tavistock), both being out of Bagalollies (Zabeel), the dam of four individual winners (25 wins), including eight Group victories.

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