Te Akau TV - Easter Preview
Date: 29 Mar 2024
This week, we catch up with Te Akau New Zealand's racing manager Reece Trumper ahead of the relocated Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes. This will now take place at Ellerslie, and we have Fashion Shoot aiming for top honours. Looking ahead to the weekend of racing, it's a smaller team for the tangerine, but there's quality a'plenty.
Last weekend was amazing for our team in New Zealand and Australia. It started with Nucleozor and Discretion Rules running the quinella in the two-year-old race at Riccarton. They both have their sights set on the Listed Welcome Stakes in two weeks' time at the same venue.
We also celebrated a nice win by Beau Brummell in the Southern Alps Qualifier before enjoying the Australian spectacle of runners at Moonee Valley. It was our biggest Australian race day since opening our Cranbourne base. A big shoutout to Campionessa and Quintessa, who were both very unlucky not to win, putting in stellar performances on the day - keep an eye on these girls there is plenty more to come.
We then celebrated Imperatriz's 10th Group 1 success as she defended her Group 1 William Reid Stakes crown. With six Group 1 wins in Australia and four in New Zealand, she is a Champion and is being acclaimed as the best sprinter in the world by many commentators. We are thrilled to see her join the elite ranks of horses achieving 10 Group 1 victories in their careers.
On Sunday the colours worn to so much success by dual Horse of the Year Probabeel were back in the Victorian winners' circle. Hinata, raced by Jo Lindsay of Cambridge Stud, saluted the judge at her first start from our Cranbourne stable while Midnight Blue put in a valiant effort in the Bairnsdale Cup, narrowly beaten despite carrying the top weight.
Looking at the weekend ahead we kick off our Easter action with Rubicon Crossing stepping out tonight on our Australian home track of Cranbourne. She is looking to continue her record of success, having already been a winner from our Cranbourne base.
Tomorrow, we're treated to an Ellerslie/Flemington Black Type special, with Fashion Shoot contesting the Group 1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes, while Sans Doute hunts Listed honours at Flemington, a track she has developed a love affair with since arriving in Australia.
On the Ellerslie undercard, we will cheer on previous winners Puketiro, I Choose You and ladies' partnership filly She Turns Heads before tuning into Singapore racing. Then on Easter Sunday, not only does the Easter bunny visit, but our team heads to Stawell in Victoria, with Stawell Cup contender and Fleet Footed engaged.
Looking ahead, it's hard to believe how fast this year has gone - in a week Imperatriz will be in Sydney vying for an incredible 11th Group 1 win at her final appearance for the season and Trentham will see three of our 2YOs chasing down the Group 1 Manatawatu Sires' Produce Stakes title. This is a race Te Akau has had terrific past success in and Captured By Love, Move To Strike and Unbridled Joy will be determined to add to that honour roll.
We wish you all a very happy Easter! May your weekend be long and relaxing with family and friends - whether you are trackside or watching from the couch we hope Easter racing treat us all well!
GO THE TANGERINE!