Te Akau Treble - No.2 Top Brass

Backing up his debut course win on 20 September, Top Brass (4 g Epaulette - Highlight, by High Chaparral) emulated the performance with victory in the $10,000 Starlight Rating 65 1200 metres on 9 September at Taupo.

Having previously won with a strong performance after duelling with stable-mate Burgundy Rose (Burgundy), who brought up a hat-trick of wins for Te Akau in the next race, Top Brass was equally as resilient under the urgings of Opie Bosson.

“He's certainly tough and didn't want to pull up,” Bosson said. “He's best on race day and he's a tough little bugger.

Working across from barrier 10 to position outside the leader, Top Brass gained an advantage at the 200 metres and lifted strongly when challenged by stable-mate Lilikoi (Charm Spirit) as the pair drew clear. 

Owned by Terry Archer, Mike Beazley, Howard Perry, Stu Graham, Murray Darroch, Marcelle Douglas, Stuart Gladding, and A Dime A Dozen Syndicate, Top Brass ran the 1200 metres in 1:11.4, last 600m in 34.9, on Dead4 footing, and returned $4.20 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“He's a tough little bugger,” said Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards. “He's given us a few headaches trying to get him to races, but he's always shown plenty of natural talent and the owners have been really patient. 

“He's bred by Terry Archer, from Ruakaka, who's been a good supporter of the stable since I've been there, and raced by a syndicate managed by Mike Beazley, with local boys from Whangarei. It's good to have a horse winning for them and hopefully he can carry on.”

A son of multiple Group One winning sprint star Epaulette (Commands), Top Brass carries a pedigree cross with Sadler's Wells, Northern Dancer, and Eight Carat.

“It's wonderful to be down here on a beautiful day like this,” Archer said. “I bred him and had him at home for a long time. The whole family is incredibly tough and that's the overriding factor. The mare took a bit of handling, too. She won three out of five in New Zealand and a couple in Australia, and we bought her home in foal to Epaulette.

“His half-sister by Darci Brahma (Annie's Song) also won first-up and a Pentire yearling colt that I've just sold to Mike (Beazley). 

“It's enormous the effort that Te Akau puts in. They're so professional. I've a raced a lot of horses over the years, with some very good trainers, and Te Akau are right up there. They've got a good team and Jamie and the team are so polished.”

Archer said that Taupo Racing Club committee member Gerald Fell, and his brother Rex Fell, bred the third dam, Superjet (Jetball), at Fairdale Stud. 

Accepting on behalf of the owners, Mike Beazley said: “It's always great to win, but two in a row is very special.”

Top Brass was strapped by Joe Kamaruddin.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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