Te Akau Te Teko Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses at Te Teko on Tuesday 27 August -

Weather: fine, track: Heavy10, rail: out 7 metres

Heat 1 Open 820 metres (½ a length, 1 ¼ lengths 51.6)

Red Jakkal (4 g Jakkalberry - Red Alert) - Chelsea Burdan; was easy off the outside gate, seven lengths 600m, and although remaining back he quickened up nicely in a heat that saw little change to positions.   

Purchased by David Ellis for Fortuna Syndications, managed by John Galvin, from the family of 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Master Belt (Masterclass), he followed a very good debut second to win first-up in his second preparation.

Heat 2 Open 820 metres (1 ¼ lengths, 2 lengths 49.9)

Military Step (4 g Tavistock - Marching On) - Joe Kamaruddin; was posted three wide in fifth from the outside barrier, improved widest rounding the home turn and sustained a solid finish for third.

He followed consecutive thirds with an easy win over 1600 metres in April at Wanganui. 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).

Willpower  (4 g Power - The Lady) - Chelsea Burdan; situated behind runners on the inner and held his spot closer to the rail without much urging.

Purchased by David Ellis from the draft of Cambridge Stud, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, he broke through at his fifth start to win in April at Matamata, and a lovely type of horse with the potential to win more.

Heat 3 Open 1020 metres (dead-heat, 1 ¼ lengths 1:03.5)

Scottish Star  (4 m Bullbars - Highland Lights) - Troy Harris; began well to trail from barrier one and given a soft time just behind runners in the straight. 

She beat Helena Baby (Guillotine), who won his next five in row, on debut in March at Matamata, and spelled in April after finishing third at her next start. A half-sister to stable-mate Our Abbadean (Lookin At Lucky), a dual Group Two winner and twice Group One placed, she was 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).

Heat 4 Open 1020 metres (1 ¼ lengths, head 1:03.3)

Ristretto (4 m Makfi - Espresso Cavallo) - Craig Grylls; was handily placed on the inner, working home without much urging to finish camped on the leaders and good through the line. 

Owned by the Te Akau Double Shot Syndicate (Mgr: Julia-Rose Ellis), she spelled following a polished debut win as an autumn two-year-old, and shaping up again after a quiet three-year-old season. By Makfi (Dubawi), a British bred, French trained, 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner, out of mare by former Australian Horse of the Year Lonhro (Octagonal). 

Heat 7 2YO 600 metres (neck, head 36.8)

D'Oro Mexicano  (2 f Vancouver - Mexican Rose) - Michael McNab; was handily placed three off the rail, levelled at the 300m and kept up a good gallop under minimal urging for second in a close finish. 

Having her first trial, 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.

Amarelinha  (2 f Savabeel - Hopscotch) - Troy Harris; settled in behind runners on the inner, angled across heels inside the last 200m and quickened stylishly late for a close third. 

Purchased by David Ellis for $300,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, and having her first trial for 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 8 2YO 600 metres (4 lengths, 2 lengths 36.9)

It's My Party  (2 f Darci Brahma - A La Votre) - Troy Harris; began well to work up second, checked for a run in the straight and once balanced she kept up a solid gallop for fourth. 

Having her first trial for the Te Akau Party Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was purchased by David Ellis for $20,000, from the draft of Ralph Thoroughbreds, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

Heat 9 2YO 600 metres (1 ½ lengths, 4 ½ lengths 36.3)

No Limits  (2 c Savabeel - Make A Wish) - Michael McNab; went straight to the lead, cornered beautifully against the rail, quickened to a handy advantage and kept giving when asked for more to win impressively.

Bred and offered by Waikato Stud, and owned by the Te Akau 2019 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), the impeccable looking specimen was the Karaka 2019 sales topper ($1.4m) purchased by David Ellis. 

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) - Sam Weatherley; was three wide near the pace and sustained a good gallop for fourth.

Having her first trial for the Te Akau Spellbound Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), 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.

Heat 10 Maiden 3YO 820 metres (head, ½ a length 50.5)

3 f Savabeel - Banchee - Troy Harris; got back off the outside gate, seven lengths 600m, and finished strongly wide out for fourth. 

Bred and owned by Sir Peter Vela, by five-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), her dam, Banchee (Oratorio), was Champion Two-Year-Old with wins in the Diamond Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m), and Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m), second in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m), and third in the Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m), during a juvenile season that had her earmarked for the Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m).

Truly Remarkable  (3 f Iffraaj - She's Remarkable) - Joe Kamaruddin; was caught wide without cover, seven lengths 600m and remained back on the inner over a sprint trip. 

By Iffraaj (Zafonic), the sire of Te Akau trained triple Group One winner Gingernuts, from the family of Champion Three-Year-Old Xtravagant (Pentire). Winning six of his 12 starts, Xtravagant became the fifth of six 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winners for Te Akau, and now stands at stud in Australia. She was purchased by David Ellis and owned by the Te Akau Remarkable Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Heat 11 Maiden 3YO 820 metres (head, 4 lengths 51.3)

Burgundy Rose  (3 f Burgundy - Paraiba) - Joe Kamaruddin; situated handily in second, angled off rounding the home turn and quickened into a duel which resulted in a close second.

Bred by David Ellis and owned by the Te Akau Roses Are Red Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she won two of three trials before debuting with a very good second in May at Ruakaka.

Uber Roca (3 f El Roca - Uberfrau) - Michael McNab; found a good spot in third and kept up a good gallop for a close fourth. 

Having her second trial after a good first-up effort for third when trialling in May at Cambridge, she is owned by Waihi Livestock, David and Matt Peacocke, Mark and Paul Apatu, and MJ Fox.

Heat 12 Maiden 3YO 820 metres (½ a length, ½ a head 51.1)

Vino Bella  (3 f Burgundy - Pinstinct) - Chelsea Burdan; was handily placed in fourth, presented rounding the home turn and sustained a strong finish for second without being punched out.

An improving filly, strengthened after two thirds from four starts as a two-year-old, she was bred and managed by Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM for the Te Akau Vino Bella Syndicate.

Greedy  (3 f Savabeel - Indulge) - Troy Harris; got back on the inner, six lengths 600m and not overly comfortable in the going she remained rearward.

In training for Waikato Stud, she had produced a very good second at her first trial on dead ground in May at Cambridge. The first foal from an unraced mare by Pins (Snippets), she is a three-quarter sister to Te Akau trained Group Two & Three winner Splurge (Savabeel), from Group Three winner and Group One placed Splashing Out (O'Reilly), and the family of Waikato Stud stallion Sacred Falls (O'Reilly). 

Heat 13 Maiden 3YO 820 metres (½ a head, 1 ¼ lengths 51.2)

Miss Showtime  (3 f Showcasing - Colombelle) - Joe Kamaruddin; was easy off a wide gate to settle last, seven lengths 600m, switched inner looking for room in the straight and quickened nicely before finishing fifth. 

Owned by the Te Akau Showtime Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $180,000 from the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm, the same vendors from which he purchased Champion Two-Year-Old and six-time Group One winner Melody Belle (Commands).

Heat 14 Maiden 3YO 820 metres (¾ length, ½ a head 50.9)

Ocean Belle (3 f Ocean Park - Xanadu) - Troy Harris; was three wide with cover from the outside barrier, tracked clear wide out at the 350m but became unbalanced in the ground and given an easy time.

In training for the Block Partnership & Springvale Family Trust, and having her first trial, she is from terrific dual Group One winning race mare Xanadu (Elusive City), winner of the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) and Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m), that also finished runner-up in the Waikato Draught Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m) and Telegraph Handicap (Gr. 1, 1200m) among four other placed efforts at Group One level.

Heat 15 Maiden 3YO 820 metres (short neck, ¾ length 50.29)

Spirit of Gold (3 f Medaglia d'Oro - Full of Spirit) - Michael McNab; got back from a wide draw, seven lengths, before picking a path through runners at the 200m and finishing strongly under her own steam for third. 

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).

3 f Darci Brahma - Bon Genie  - Troy Harris; was last on the inner, stayed closer to the rail and doing her best work late over a sprint trip. 

In training for owner/breeder Sir Peter Vela, dam Bon Genie (Cape Cross) was a winner over 1400 metres, leaving three-time winner Division (Danehill), with a pedigree suitable to a mile and further. 

Heat 16 4YO & Up 820 metres (neck, 2 ¾ lengths 51.2)

Top Brass (4 g Epaulette - Highlight) - Troy Harris; began well to lead, joined in the straight and sustained a strong gallop for second.

By the multiple Group One winning sprinter Epaulette (Commands), standing at Darley in Australia, he is the first foal of a High Chaparral (Sadler's Wells) mare that won five races from 1400m - 1900m, from a good producing dam line that includes talented third dam Superjet (Jetball). 

Faltonius  (4 g High Chaparral - Faltonia) - Sam Weatherley; was handily placed on the inner and a big horse looking for further, he kept up a solid run for third. 

Purchased by David Ellis for $230,000 from the draft of Lyndhurst Farm at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, and owned by the Te Akau Poetic Justice Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis). He is a good quality individual and a promising staying type. 

Twilight Zone (4 g O'Reilly - Twilight Granita) - Chelsea Burdan; got back to last, five lengths 600m and angled widest in the straight he made good ground for fourth. 

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 Champion sire O'Reilly (Last Tycoon), he is the first foal from a young stakes winning Iffraaj (Zafonic) mare.

Heat 17 Maiden 3YO 1020 metres (¾ lengths, 4 lengths 1:03.2)

Lucky Shark  (3 g Darci Brahma - Shamardal Luck) - Troy Harris; positioned in midfield, buffeted when looking for room at the 300m and held together once clear to finish fifth.

Owned by Matt Allenby, Deborah Charlton, Michael Clemenger, Matt Fitzgerald, Steve & Kristy Mace, Chris Russell, Jason Simcocks, and Dave Taylor, his half-brother Shocking Luck (Shocking) was trained by Te Akau to finish second in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) before winning the Rough Habit Plate (Gr. 3, 2000m) at Doomben racecourse in Brisbane, and subsequently sold to Hong Kong. He was purchased by David Ellis at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Phoenix Park.

Heat 18 Maiden 3YO 1020 metres (½ a length, ¾ lengths 1:03.8)

Super Sid  (3 g Rip Van Winkle - Half Bak) - Michael McNab; steadied back with cover from the outside gate, seven lengths 600m, let slide forward widest rounding the home turn and sustained a big finish for second.

Purchased by David Ellis at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Lenarch Lodge, owned by the Te Akau Game Breaker Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). He is a three-quarter brother to stable-mate Te Akau Shark (Rip Van Winkle), winner of five from seven including the Coupland's Bakeries Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m).  

Family Time  (3 g Redoute's Choice - Precious Time) - Troy Harris; worked up on the inner to trail and she fought on in midfield when caught in the worst of the ground of the inside.

In training for breeder Christopher Grace QSM, his wife, Susanna, and Rod Preston, she is the first foal from Te Akau trained four-time winner Precious Time (Stravinsky), making her a three-quarter sister to five-time Group One winning sprinter Lankan Rupee (Redoute's Choice). Lankan Rupee was voted Horse of the Year and Champion Sprinter in Australia, winning $4.1m in prize money. 

Heat 19 4YO & Up 1020 metres (½ a length, ¾ lengths 1:04.7)

Hierarchy  (4 g Burgundy - Silvara) - Michael McNab; was last early, worked forward to fourth at the 600m, ranged rounding the home turn, quickened when asked at the 200m and sustained his run to win. 

In training for Chris Rutten and John Norwood, two of the three owners in dual Group One winning stable-mate Yourdeel (Dundeel), along with Rod Preston (mentioned above in the ownership of Family Ties). 3 x 3 to both Danehill and Zabeel, he is by the Te Akau trained stallion Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), winner of five stakes races, bought by David Ellis.

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