Te Akau Treble - Baronet So Bold

Deserving of another victory, Baronet (4 g Contributer – Alpha Dame, by O’Reilly) won the $17,000 CRV Better Cow, Better Life Rating 65 1200 metres on 27 June at Te Aroha. 

A debut winner last season over 1200 metres and placed eight times since, Baronet had fought hard for a close third in the Rating 60 1400 metres on 25 May at Pukekohe, and emulated that effort in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 5 June at Matamata, won by stable-mate Polly Plum (Xtravagant).

Racing well and ridden by former Te Akau apprentice Wiremu Pinn, who gained experience riding 26 winners last season in Melbourne, Baronet rated a top three chance.

Although drawn the outside in a field of eight, Pinn had Baronet begin quickly to steady outside the leader - that positive approach paid dividends as he broke clear of the field early in the home straight and never faulted when sustaining a strong gallop centre track. 

On Heavy9 footing that remained so throughout the programme, Baronet ran 1200 metres in 1:13.7 and shortened in betting from an earlier fixed odds quote of $6.00 to pay $4.10 & $1.10 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“He really deserved that win after racing very well with our new apprentice Tayla Melvin on for his last three starts, and he’d built nicely to it,” said Mark Walker, who trains in partnership with Sam Bergerson. 

“The owners have been very patient, but he’s been really consistent throughout this preparation, and I think schooling him over the bigger hurdles has helped his mental approach to racing. 

“He more mature now too and he won in a manner that should see him remain competitive as he progresses in grade.”

From a hardy family, including four time Group One winner Volkstok’n’barrell (Tavistock), Baronet was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $135,000 at the Karaka 2021 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Mapperley Stud, and is owned by Te Akau Alpha Lord Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn-Fenton Ellis MNZM), 

“He’s out a nice young mare by Champion sire O’Reilly and from a really good family of Mapperley Stud,” Ellis said.

“We have been very impressed by the progeny of Contributer and he’s also the sire our great mare Campionessa, who we also bought from Mapperley and she's his best performer with 11 wins, including a Group One in New Zealand and group 2 in Melbourne, and has earned over $1.2 million in prize money.

“We’ve also got other good performers by Contributer in the stable, including Family Ties, Aris Aris and Devoted. 

“He (Baronet) was a really good sort, medium-sized, correct, and walked well when we bought him. There is quite a bit of speed in the family and he’s showing that with two wins over 1200 metres.”

Baronet was strapped by Tayla Melvin. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz