Te Akau TV - Group 1 Weekend Preview

FIVE-WIN SATURDAY, GUINEAS' DREAMS & THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT STARS

Welcome to this week’s Te Akau TV! We catch up with Assistant Trainer Reece Trumper and Colt Barn Foreman Kohen Collet for the latest from our New Zealand team, while across the Tasman, Ben Gleeson previews a Group 1 weekend for our Australian stable.

Before we turn our attention to the racing ahead, there is plenty to celebrate: four winners at Ellerslie last Saturday, another across the Tasman, and a midweek success at Timaru. With Spring campaigns gathering momentum, our sights are turning towards the final two legs of the Hawkes Bay Carnival, then NZ Cup Week, and the search for our next star at November’s Ready to Run Sale.

There is a wonderful buzz around the stable. Last week’s Matamata treble and Ellerslie four-timer delivered seven New Zealand wins in just four days, with another Australian victory with Precambrian adding to the celebrations.

Behind every result is the daily dedication of our team and the loyalty and support of our owners. Congratulations to everyone involved, and thank you to Mark, Sam, Reece, Hunter, Ben and all who work alongside them across our three training bases. Our Te Akau Stud team headed by Deane of course is a major contributor to this success too, as are all our admin team too!

FOUR TO CELEBRATE AT ELLERSLIE

System Of Play set the tone with an impressive return in the three-year-old 1400 metres. Michael McNab gave the Ole Kirk colt a beautifully judged ride, settling him comfortably before asking him to quicken in the straight. He responded in style, maintaining his unbeaten record from two starts and giving his owners plenty to look forward to this Spring.

Towering Vision followed with a strong finish in the Rating 75 over 1600 metres. Ridden patiently also by Michael, he settled towards the rear before finding his way through the field and charging home. It was a pleasing return to winning form, with the team looking forward to seeing him over further as his preparation progresses.

Day One made it three with a successful return in the Rating 65 over 1300 metres, with Opie Bosson ONZM back in the winner’s circle. The lightly raced son of Wootton Bassett rewarded the patience of his Elsdon Park connections, with the Elsdon Park sponsored Aotearoa Classic on Karaka Millions' night among the options being considered.

Top Shelf completed the four-timer with a determined performance in the open 1400-metre handicap. Despite covering extra ground, the Savabeel mare kept finding for Michael, whose three winning rides were a highlight of the afternoon. Already Group Two and Group Three placed, she has further black-type opportunities ahead.

PRECAMBRIAN MAKES IT FIVE

Across the Tasman, Precambrian completed our five-win Saturday with a maiden victory over 2112 metres at Echuca.
Celine Gaudray brought the son of So You Think into contention with a sustained run around the field, and he finished strongly to reward his Te Akau Precambrian Racing Partnership owners.

It was a pleasing staying performance for Mark, Ben and our Cranbourne team, with the prospect of further improvement as he matures and steps up in distance.

BALANCE OF POWER KEEPS THE WINNERS COMING

The winning continued at Timaru on Wednesday, where Balance Of Power stretched clear to claim the Rating 75 over 2200 metres by three and three-quarter lengths.

Hayley Hassman timed her run beautifully, waiting for the cutaway before asking him to accelerate. His fifth career victory was a deserved reward for his patient owners and another encouraging result for Hunter and our Riccarton team as Cup Week approaches. It also capped a special few days for Hayley, who received the Taiki Yanagida Trophy for 'Most Dedicated to Success' at the Northern Apprentice Awards. Congratulations, Hayley!

ANOTHER BUSY WEEKEND AHEAD

Friday’s Te Rapa team includes Passion ’n’ Pride, Uptown and With A Vengeance. Bright Stripes and What You Wish For contest the open 1500 metres, while Origin Of Love, Zantabulous and Bolli Belle line up in the Rating 75 over 1400 metres.

At Riccarton on Saturday, Bellish Boy, Zafar, Enchantment and Hakkinen represent the team earlier in the programme. Court Of Appeal contests the North Canterbury Cup, Stonybreck and Dream Of The Moon tackle the TAB Mile Prelude, and Cool Aza Rene and Cool ’n’ Fast complete our team.

At Hastings, Asturia takes her place in the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas over 1400 metres with Michael McNab aboard. Our past winners include Tell A Tale and Darci Brahma, so good luck to our filly, having just her second start, as she chases these honours.

SPRING OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE TASMAN

Stage ’N’ Screen represents the stable at Cranbourne on Friday while it's a big day of racing at Caulfield on Sunday. Wonderful Sky, I Am Aria in the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes, Lara Antipova in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes and Geegees Mistruth in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes.

THE ROAD TO THE GUINEAS

As November approaches, the New Zealand 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas are firmly in focus. Te Akau has won each race seven times - 14 victories across New Zealand’s two premier three-year-old mile classics. It is a record we are enormously proud of, and one that gives this time of year particular significance for our team and owners.

System Of Play’s Ellerslie performance was an exciting step towards his 2000 Guineas' goal. Meanwhile, Sweetest Thing and Sword Of Stars have already given us plenty of encouragement on their paths towards the 1000 Guineas. There is still racing ahead and plenty to learn about this season’s three-year-olds, but the anticipation of heading south for Guineas' racing is already building.

READY TO RUN: JOIN THE SEARCH FOR OUR NEXT STAR

System Of Play’s story began well before his first race. Selected by Sir David Ellis at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, the colt was purchased for $480,000 from Ohukia Lodge. Now unbeaten in two starts and working towards a Group One target, he is a timely reminder of the opportunities this sale can offer.

This year’s NZB Ready to Run Sale takes place at Karaka on 18 and 19 November, with the breeze-ups at Te Rapa on 12 and 13 October. We are looking forward to finding the next young horses to join our team.

Ever wondered what we look for when selecting a racehorse, how we assess a breeze-up or what happens between spotting a promising youngster and raising a hand in the auction ring?

We would love to welcome you for a private visit to the Karaka sales grounds with our bloodstock team. It is an opportunity to go behind the scenes, learn how we assess pedigree, movement and temperament, and understand the work that goes into selecting the horses we want to train.

Whether you are an existing owner wanting to learn more or simply curious about becoming involved, you are welcome to ask questions, explore the sales environment and talk through how shared ownership works. No prior racing knowledge is needed - just an interest in the horses and the journey.

To arrange a private sales visit, reply to this email or contact Karyn - [email protected].

A SPECIAL WEEK FOR THE TE AKAU FAMILY

Next Tuesday will mark a very special moment for Sir David Ellis, as David attends Government House in Auckland to formally receive his knighthood.

It is an extraordinary honour, recognising a lifetime of contribution to New Zealand racing, the thoroughbred industry and the Te Akau story he has built over more than four decades.

It will also be a proud occasion for the wider Te Akau family - our owners, team, friends and supporters - so many of whom have shared in the journey and helped shape Te Akau into what it is today. We are incredibly proud to see David receive this recognition and look forward to celebrating such a significant milestone with him.

MORE TO LOOK FORWARD TO - TOGETHER

Over the coming week, we will be sharing details of our upcoming Te Akau Owners' Day, along with two special trackside events for owners, with dedicated Te Akau areas at the Karaka Millions and NZB Kiwi race days.

We love bringing our owners together - to meet the horses and the people behind them, catch up with familiar faces and enjoy the excitement of racing as a team.

There is a wonderful season of racing and getting together ahead, and we look forward to sharing it with you! Best of luck to our runners and connections this weekend! Go the tangerine!