Te Akau Trans-Tasman Winning Sunday
Date: 8 Jul 2024
After savouring Baronet going back to back in New Zealand on Sunday, it was time for Te Akau to strike again within hours at Warrnambool in Victoria with Prismatic winning the hurdle feature.
Second on the course last time out, Prismatic (5 g Savabeel – Kaleidoscope, by Pins) proved a dominant winner in the A$100,000 Carter Group Kevin Lafferty Hurdle (3200m) on 7 July at Warrnambool, Victoria.
Although it may sound repetitive, Champion Jumps' Jockey Aaron Kuru gave another flawless display in the saddle and Prismatic was equal to the task.
The same combination had easily won the Maiden Hurdle (3200m) on 30 May at Hamilton (Victoria), before finishing strongly for second in the Coastal Wholesalers Hurdle (3200m) on 23 June at Warrnambool, and certainly warranted the $2.10 & $1.30 (NZ TAB) favouritism.
As is so often the case, Kuru had Prismatic straight into the box seat, second, behind a clear leader, but he appeared the only horse to be on as he ascended quickly approaching the home turn and raced away to win by seven lengths.
Prismatic had been given one hurdle start last season by trainer Mark Walker, finishing fourth over 2500 metres at Hastings, but his record of two wins and a second from four jumps starts indicates how quickly he has become accomplished.
He also had a good record around 3200 metres having finished second over 3000 metres and fifth in the New Zealand Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) during Cup Week (last November) at Riccarton.
“It was a big step up in class, but Aaron (Kuru) has plenty of confidence in the horse and he certainly didn’t let the top weight (second placed Fabalot) get too far out of his sights,” Walker said.
“His jumping was really good throughout and it’s great for the owners to win a A$100,000 race with him.
“We’ll wait to see how he pulls up before making a decision as to where he heads next, but it's also great for Ben (Gleeson) and the team who have him going so well. Winter can be a slog in New Zealand and Australia, but it’s exciting to see these horses going so well over jumps.”
Owned by the Te Akau Prismatic Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $240,000 at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Rich Hill Stud.
A winner earlier in the season over 1600 metres at Matamata, Prismatic had previously won three races on the flat to 2200 metres, and the additional 10 seconds and five thirds reflects his endeavour and genuine attributes for racing.
By eight-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), Prismatic is from the family of 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and dual Group One winner Xtravagant (Pentire), who was also purchased by Ellis and now stands at stud in Australia.
From a Pins (Snippets) mare, Prismatic is bred on the same cross as retired stable star and dual Horse of the Year Probabeel, who made history winning the Karaka Millions at two and three years of age and became a quadruple Group One winner.
“He was freshened to win over a mile after having a hurdle start here (NZ) last year and he’s a very fit horse after racing well since he’s been in Australia,” Ellis said.
“Aaron (Kuru) gave him another great ride and he really showed a turn of foot to gather in the leader and put a space in them.
“He was runner-up three times, consecutively, before winning his Maiden over 2200 metres and he’s continued to improve as he’s developed.
“Not all horses are two-year-old types and its horses like Prismatic, who are genuine and show consistency, that get the job done once they’ve matured.
“It just shows how much the horses are enjoyed the training environment in our stables at Cranbourne; how well Mark (Walker) and Ben (Gleeson) are going with the horses and the team, and to have had 23 wins this season from just a handful of horses, really, is incredible.
“We’ll continue building numbers into next season in Australia, it’s very exciting.”
Prismatic was strapped by Lisa Strike.
Photo credit - Country Racing Victoria