Te Akau TV - Don't Miss The Thrills: Group 1 Trans-Tasman Action Is ON!

This weekend is packed to the rafters with racing featuring a piping-hot tangerine team you simply cannot miss!

It's Te Akau TV Time! In this week's episode, we catch up with Mark Walker before an action-packed few days of racing kick off. Brace yourselves for plenty of anticipation, as our team aims to leave its mark on a significant and historic day in the New Zealand racing calendar. And don't forget, we're also crossing the ditch for the final day of the Melbourne Carnival – so we’re hoping for celebratory fireworks on both fronts!

Before we dive into what's on the weekend's radar, let's take a moment to celebrate a remarkable win on the iconic Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.

Skew Wiff claimed the victory in the Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes with the one and only Opie Bosson in the saddle. It's been an incredible season for this Group 1 girl who prevailed over the strongest Group 1 Tarzino Trophy field in recent years in September at Hastings, a line-up that included nine Group One winners, four of whom had won Group One races last year in Australia. She's obviously now taken that form to Australia on Victoria's biggest race day of the year!

A massive shout out to her owner Waikato Stud for entrusting this mare - it was an absolute delight to have Charlotte Chittick on course representing Waikato Stud - and happy 21st too, to George Chittick!

The winning has then continued on from Cup Day as we celebrated a Te Akau Treble at Taupo today with Balance Of Power, Egyptian Queen and Caravella all saluting the judge! Congratulations to connections!

As we look ahead this weekend has non-stop tangerine action to look forward to:

Friday night it's the turn of Savoir Faire at Pakenham, then on Saturday it's a three-pronged attack on Riccarton, Te Rapa and Melbourne.

At Riccarton it's the first day of Cup Week and our boys Talisker and Trobriand contest the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas - Te Akau has won seven Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas' titles. In 2021 we toasted in lockdown restrictions to Noverre, now standing at Waikato Stud, storming home for a dominant win. He joined other winners for the stable that have subsequently gone to stud: King’s Chapel, Darci Brahma, Rock ‘n’ Pop, Xtravagant, and Embellish (Savabeel), while gelding Tell A Tale was also victorious.

David Ellis CNZM will be on course for the action and also can't wait for the day's support acts: The Mighty Spar and Mehzebeen star in the Listed Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy and Challa, On The Bubbles, and Dancarina are set to make waves in the Listed Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes.

Te Rapa's Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint has attracted a field of 10 with four talented Te Akau mares in the frame - Wolverine in her first start for the stable, is joint by Champion 2YO Maven Belle, Arts Arts and Petrucci.

And for those who love following the journey from sale to saddle, we've got a race that you won't want to miss. Our promising 2YOs Maracatu, Hooray For Harry, Bellatrix Star and Captured By Love step into the limelight, with all except debut winner Bellatrix Star having their first start as the 2024 Karaka Million looms on the horizon.

Later on Saturday, all eyes turn to Flemington as red-hot favourite Imperatriz steps out in the A$3 million Group 1 Darley Champions' Sprint over 1200m. 'Berri' has now won more Group 1 races in 2023 than any other horse in the world - it will be a nervous wait to see if she can add one more to her tally at 5.50pm NZ time - 3.50pm local time.

Saturday evening we will enjoy Singapore racing followed by a good 'Sunday Session' with runners at Ararat in Victoria and Tauherenikau.

Next week, our focus will be on the Group 2 Couplands Bakeries' Mile, featuring the impressive mare It's Business Time. Then on Saturday week it's the big one - Cup Day and the Group 1 1000 Guineas at Riccarton and at Caulfield!

Lastly, a warm and heartfelt Happy Birthday to Karyn Fenton-Ellis, who celebrated her special day on Monday. Everyone at Te Akau sends their birthday wishes to Melbourne!

Best of luck to all our connections this weekend. Let's bring it on! GO THE TANGERINE!