Te Akau Thursday Update

David writes:

After a lovely amazing autumn it looks like winter has arrived at Te Akau.  We have had a really good rain (50mls) so far this week and we are going into the winter with a record amount of grass.  Yes it is just amazing to see so much grass everywhere in the Waikato.

Yesterday we sent another four yearlings into the stable that had been broken in and now we only have the final 10 left.  These include the two colts that we bought in Sydney which I must say have greatly impressed me so far.  They are different types of colts.  The Stratum is a real two year old and the Fastnet Rock looks like a 2000 Guineas colt that will relax and train onto being a Derby colt.

We have had lots of owners visit the farm in the last month to see their horses which we always enjoy.  What I enjoy most is seeing the pleasure they from inspecting their horses and I love showing them around our farm.

After a really good night on Sunday in Singapore with Mark winning two races, Stephen and Jamie kept up the momentum with win number 89 at Ruakaka yesterday.  Beacon of Hope was one of the four horses I bought for my 2014 Te Akau Syndicate and remarkably they have all won their last start.  Xtravagant, Rocksun, Splurge and Beacon of Hope.  I hope I can say this again tonight as Splurge is racing at Hawkes Bay this afternoon.

Xtravagant is having a well-earned spell at Te Akau after an incredible season.  He is rated 103 points, 13 ahead of his nearest rival.  I find it hard to describe what a beautiful animal he is.  He is very kind and very settled, that is until he gets to the racecourse. Then he gets really keen and impatient because he loves competing.  When you give him a scratch and a pat he knows he is a good horse.  Very intelligent.  My only hope is we can keep him for stud in New Zealand.  It would be so sad for him to stand in Australia but the good news is the top studs want him in New Zealand.

Talking about owners one of the most successful all time Te Akau owners must be Jim and Pauline Hepburn who also race many horses with Peter and Jennie Georgetti.  They are true racing enthusiasts and hardly ever miss a meeting and when Beacon of Hope won yesterday Jim told me it was his and Pauline's 42^nd win with us this season in New Zealand and Singapore, quite remarkable!

Today we are taking a nice team of horses to Hawkes Bay where the track is rated a Dead 5, just perfect going or this time of the year.  Jamie was at Ruakaka yesterday and today he will be at Hawkes Bay.

Today Karyn arrives home from London (she is currently two hours out of Auckland posting this - Ed).  She had a great trip (which she will update you on in the next day or so - Ed) but is straight back to business joining a racing High Tea function at the Langham Hotel in Auckland where she is one of the guest speakers on getting involved in racing.  Then of course she has the Waikato Racing Club's big jumps' day on Saturday - this weekend our focus is that meeting - Waikato steeplechase and hurdles' day is always a great day's racing.

Have a great weekend.