Te Akau TV - Group 1 Weekend Preview

Date: 8 Nov 2024

Racing fever strikes again on both sides of the Tasman this weekend!

Welcome to another exciting edition of Te Akau TV as we celebrate last week’s successes and look ahead to a rousing weekend lineup!

It’s been a thrilling week of winners in New Zealand, starting off with Wild Night claiming victory at Tauranga. Now with two wins in a row, he has secured a flight to Australia, where he will join our Cranbourne stable. We also saw Ready To Run graduates Family Ties and Bello Mio crossing the line in style.

In Australia, Te Akau presented runners on the first two days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival - how impressive was Bellatrix Star on Derby Day! The talented Fortuna filly proved she warranted her place among Australia’s best sprinting three-year-olds with a stunning second in the A$2 million Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes against the colts and geldings. She finished only 2.75 lengths behind the standout winning colt Switzerland, and ahead of big names like The Everest placegetter Growing Empire and Group 1 Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot. She’s bounced through that race and will back up this weekend in the Group 1 Champions Sprint - a race won brilliantly by our star mare Imperatriz last year.

A special mention, too, to Stage 'N' Screen who, after winning on debut at Seymour last month, stepped out on Melbourne Cup Day. All credit to this impressive filly David purchased from last year’s Ready to Run Sale – she handled the whole, massive experience of Cup Day in her stride and raced very well to finish an unlucky fourth, only 1.8 lengths off the winner in the Listed Amanda Elliott.

There’s no doubt these results showcase the depth and strength across both our New Zealand and Australian stables.

Looking ahead, Saturday brings a full roster of talent at Te Rapa and Riccarton. Caravella lines up in the Listed Pegasus Stakes, and Fierce Flight and Mehzebeen take on the Listed Metropolitan Trophy. Meanwhile, When Stars Align competes in the prestigious Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 52nd New Zealand 2000 Guineas. This iconic race has been won seven times previously by our stable, with names like Noverre, Embellish, Xtravagant, Darci Brahma, and King’s Chapel – all bought by David, trained by Te Akau, and all went on to stallion duties after their retirement.

Tomorrow marks the end of one Cup Week (Melbourne) and the start of another (NZ). Watch for more tangerine action midweek Wednesday at Riccarton too, before the week culminates with its famous Cup Day next Saturday, also featuring Captured By Love in the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas.

It’s set to be a massive week for our team trans-Tasman - and it all starts tonight as we look forward to our South Island Owners' Event – a wonderful chance to catch up with our southern family of owners!

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