Te Akau Trentham Bound Exhibition

Preparing for the $550,000 Group 1 Courtesy Ford  Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes 1400m on Saturday 29 March at Trentham, Te Akau trained La Dorada (Super Seth) and To Bravery Born (Snitzel) had an exhibition gallop between races on 23 March at Matamata - with their race day jockeys aboard.

La Dorada, ridden by Michael McNab, and To Bravery Born, with Craig Grylls in the saddle, worked over 1000 metres 58.2, 800m in 46.5, and last 600m in 34.6.

It was very good work by the pair, with To Bravery Born on the inside of La Dorada, and they looked strong when getting through the line in unison.

At her last two starts, La Dorada has won both the $1 million Restricted Listed TAB Karaka Millions 2YO and $225,000 Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes, while dual winner To Bravery Born finished fourth in the Karaka Millions 2YO and was third in a Te Akau/Snitzel trifecta the Group 3 Matamata Slipper also over 1200m. 

Owned by Te Akau Solid Gold Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), La Dorada was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $190,000, from the draft of Waikato Stud, at the 2024 Karaka Book 1 Sale, and has earnings of $744,500. 

From a dam line that Te Akau has had plenty of success, To Bravery Born was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $200,000 at the Karaka 2024 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud, and owned by Te Akau Secret Identity Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Stablemates Born To Be Royal and Hostility galloped on the course proper prior to the racer day - both have their sights on the same prize, and both also worked in smart manner.

Te Akau has a wonderful record in this race - having won it eight times, including six of the past seven editions!