TE AKAU TV – Get Ready for a Day of Champions: It’s Here!
7 March, 2025
GET ON BOARD FOR THE PINNACLE OF NEW ZEALAND'S RACING AT ELLERSLIE!
It’s the eve of the biggest day in the history of our industry, with elite black-type races across the board. The prize money is phenomenal, with over $8 million in stakes on offer, and Te Akau’s representatives are primed and ready for action! Saturday is shaping up to be one of the most memorable racing events ever witnessed, and our team is trained to the minute and ready to rock!
Before we dive into the weekend's action, we had a great winning week with some fantastic performances from our team across New Zealand:
Wingatui: Queen’s Evidence - the first New Zealand winner for her exciting young sire King's Legacy
Riccarton: Hooray For Harry, Dream Of The Moon
Congratulations to their owners for their well-deserved wins!
Now we look ahead to this weekend and Te Akau Racing’s stellar lineup on Barfoot & Thompson Champions' Day - before we get there, though, we will have Cognoscenti lining up to kick off the weekend’s action on Friday at Te Aroha, and across the Tasman, Signoretti and Prismatic at Ballarat, with Stage 'n' Screen lighting up our Friday night under the lights at Moonee Valley.
On what will be a blockbuster day of racing this Saturday for racing fans, purists and supporters alike, Te Akau Racing will have runners across the 10-race card, with only one exception. With an exciting combination of experienced, proven horses and promising newcomers, the team has an excellent chance of making its mark.
From Damask Rose in the inaugural NZB Kiwi to Group 1 contenders La Dorada, Return To Conquer, He Who Dares, Marokopa Falls, Campionessa, Hakkinen, Qali Al Farrasha and Midnight Blue, we have a wealth of talent lined up for Saturday’s races. This is one of those days you simply cannot miss!
Now, let’s buckle in for what will be one of the most iconic racing days in New Zealand’s rich racing history:
It’s an exciting Ellerslie Saturday as they host one of the biggest days of the season, with a stellar race card featuring four Group 1 contests and the iconic Group 2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup. All eyes will be on Te Akau’s runners as they step into these high-stakes races, and we’re thrilled to be part of the action.
Looking across all feature races and runners:
Group 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase
Shockabella - this filly has hit form at just the right time, winning her maiden at Taupo and is now ready to take on this competitive field. She’s primed for this challenge.
Group 1 Sistema Stakes
Return To Conquer
He Who Dares
La Dorada
Marokopa Falls
Te Akau Racing will have four runners in this $550,000 feature race for the 2YOs, including the talented La Dorada, winner of the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes and RL Karaka Millions 2YO. She’s earned over $744,500 in prize money for her proud owners. Return To Conquer, unbeaten in his first three starts - all stakes' races - is another exciting contender. He Who Dares and Marokopa Falls are also full of promise and looking to make their mark on this prestigious race which Te Akau has won on a number of occasions.
Group 1 HKJC World Pool New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes
Campionessa
Campionessa is primed to be highly competitive in this $600,000 race. She brings a wealth of experience with 11 wins and over $1.3 million in prize money - this could be her swan song.
Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes
Midnight Blue
Qali Al Farrasha
Midnight Blue seeks to add a Group 1 victory to his resume. He’s been in great form recently and brings seven wins across distances of 1600m to 2400m, including victories in the Group 2 Perth Cup and Listed Seymour Cup. Qali Al Farrasha is in career best form with Group 1 second's from her last two starts - she has unfinished business and wants to be a bridesmaid no more!
Group 2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup
I’m A Dirty Rascal
The $600,000 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup is another key race on the day, and I’m A Dirty Rascal will be looking to add another win to his international record. With impressive staying form from his time in Ireland, this horse is set to take on the 3200m challenge.
The big one – the $3.5 million inaugural NZB Kiwi
Damask Rose
Karaka Millions 3YO winner, Damask Rose steps into Te Akau Racing's slot - purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $200,000 at the 2023 Karaka Book 1 Sale, she’s already earned over $1 million in prize money. After a stellar season, she’s ready to tackle this top-level race and is our pick for a standout performance this weekend.
Group 1 Trackside NZ Derby
Hakkinen
The $1.25 million Group 1 Trackside NZ Derby sees Hakkinen looking to claim victory in his first Group 1 attempt. Lightly raced, he’s been improving steadily throughout the season, and after a solid showing in the Group 2 Avondale Guineas, he’s primed for a top run.
I know we’re all heading non-stop towards Champions Day, however, we also have Captured By Love running in the Group 2 TAB & World Pool Kewney Stakes at Flemington. Balance Of Power, When Stars Align and Inspired By Art are ready to fire at New Plymouth, while Conni Island steps out at Edenhope in Victoria.
To round off a big weekend, it's Stony Creek Sunday with The Mighty Spar is set to run in the Ladbrokes Stony Creek Cup.
Next week, the action continues at Tauranga and Wanganui, where Te Akau Racing will have runners in key races, and with the Group 1 Manawatu Sires' Produce on the radar, there's plenty to look forward to!
We hope you’re as excited as we are for the action ahead! Best of luck to all the owners, as commentator George Simon says: "Bring It On" - GO THE TANGERINE!