Te Akau Trans-Tasman Trial Reports

Te Akau trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards: premiership winners last season with 104 victories (second in the current premiership with 73 wins), presented horses at the trials on 9 May at Cambridge.

Weather: fine, track: Slow7, rail: true

Heat 3: Open 935 metres (1 length, neck 55.1)

Silverdale (7 g Castledale - Elianto) - Michael McNab; settled rearward in a field of nine and made ground pleasingly in the straight for fifth.

A grand campaigner, multiple stakes' performed winner of seven races, was having his second trial following injury and continues to approach racing trim.

Heat 11: 2YO 800 metres (½ a length, 1 ¼ lengths 46.7)

2 f Burgundy - Ensorcelez - Cameron Lammas; went forward from a wide draw, posted in open near the pace and ran on gamely.

Owned and bred by David Ellis, Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM and Graeme Mander, the filly carries a Northern Dancer and Nijinsky cross, and third foal from the mare that has already left the winner of two races.

Heat 23: Maiden 935 metres (1 ¾ lengths, ¾ lengths 56.0)

Grandeur (4 g O'Reilly - Grand Echezeaux) - Michael McNab; ranged into contention after travelling in midfield and, having his first trial for some time, just peaked on his run to finish fourth.

Off the scene since racing last winter, he was purchased by David Ellis for $370,000, from the draft of Pencarrow Stud, at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale.

Grandeur is a half-brother to Darci Brahma (Danehill), Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), and Saperavi (Stravinsky), who were all purchased by Ellis. Progeny of Darci Brahma continue to win internationally, while young sire Burgundy shares the lead of individual two-year-old winners with his first crop.  Champion 2YO & 3YO in NZ in 2004-05 & 2005-06 and Champion Sprinter in 2006-07, Darci Brahma won five Group One races and Burgundy won five stakes races before going to stud.

Winner of the Australian Oaks (Gr. 1, 2000m) and stakes of $540,700, Grand Echezeaux has proved a broodmare of the highest quality through the deeds of her two outstanding sons, while also leaving Saperavi (Stravinsky) who has sired some handy horses.

In addition to the trials today at Cambridge, Te Akau also had Jimmy Rea and Melody Belle trial at Deagon, Queensland, in Australia.

Deagon track: Turf, Heavy 8

Heat 4: Open 1050 metres (1.8 lengths, 1:03.7, last 600m 36.4)

Jimmy Rea (5 g Thewayyouare - Maureen Terese) - Opie Bosson; trailed the leaders and remained on the bridle to finish close up in fourth, in what was quite testing ground.

Co-trainer Jamie Richards said that he asked Opie (Bosson) to settle just off the speed with cover. “I was very pleased with his trial,” Richards said. “He had a good blow afterwards, will take good improvement and should really start to thrive in the next ten or so days with the sun on his back.”

The immediate aim for Jimmy Rea is the $60,000 Benchmark 95 1200 metres on Saturday 27 May at Eagle Farm.

Prior to departing for Queensland, Jimmy Rea had trialled with Bosson aboard on 24 April at Taupo. Over 1050 metres, on Dead5 ground, he began smartly to lead, dictated the pace and held together he crossed the line on terms with the winner without being extended.

Te Akau trained for owner/breeder Kevin Hickman (Valachi Downs), he was unbeaten in three trials before transferring to the stables of Mark Walker in Singapore. The winner of six races, including a hat-trick, from thirteen starts, and nearly half a million in prize money he returned home following an injury. Appearing to have lost none of his zest, he will commence racing in open handicaps with a rating of 92.

Heat 8: 2YO 1050 metres (0.1 lengths (nose), 1:06.1, last 600m in 37.4)

Melody Belle (2 f Commands - Meleka Belle) - Opie Bosson; began well to sit outside the leader and crossed the line on terms with the winner.

Co-trainer Jamie Richards said: “She was hard on the bridle, trying as she does. It was a very pleasing trial and will bring her on nicely for racing. We won't do a lot with her for the remainder of the week and really looking forward to her stepping out at the races.

The immediate aim for Melody Belle is the BRC Sires's Produce Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) on Saturday 27 May at Eagle Farm.

Melody Belle recorded a stunning victory in the $1m Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) on the eve of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka, 29 January at Ellerslie. Given a break, and following a classy trial win on 21 March at Matamata, she stamped her authority over the juvenile set with another impressive win in the $225,000 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) on Saturday 1 April at Awapuni.

Owned by the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate, managed by John Galvin, the first foal from winning mare Meleka Belle was purchased for $57,500 by David Ellis, from the draft of Haunui Farm, at the 2016 NZB Premier Yearling Sale. She has won three of her five starts and just shy of $700,000 in prize money.