Te Akau TV - Preview
Date: 12 Dec 2024
Festivities are in the air, and at the races we will cheer!
Welcome to another exciting edition of Te Akau TV! This week we catch up with Te Akau's NZ racing manager Reece Trumper as we count down to Christmas festivities!
Last weekend, our team celebrated another win with promising juvenile Marakopa Falls delivering a commanding performance on debut at Trentham. It’s always rewarding to see our young horses such as her progress and perform to their potential, and as a purchase from the Magic Millions' sale earlier this year, and we will return there in early January to buy more promising yearlings. To also see Perfect Scenario put in a stirring performance for third in the Group 1 TAB Mufhasa Classic is a reminder that Te Akau nurtures horses all through their careers - the now seven year old has won 11 races and almost $500,000 in prize money for his proud owners.
This week promises plenty of action on both sides of the Tasman. Ellerslie kicks things off on Thursday, with the Barfoot & Thompson Twilight meeting where we’ll see some of our promising runners looking to make their mark in competitive company.
On Friday, racing shifts to Tauranga, before an exciting Saturday when it's SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup day where Te Akau will be chasing Group success at Te Rapa once again! Campionessa is poised to defend her Group 2 Cal Isuzu Stakes crown - she too is a seven year old and has been at the peak of her career over the past 12 months, winning Group races on both sides of the Tasman. She is also a 11-time winner, earning her owners $1.33 million - a terrific result for a filly bought by David Ellis CNZM at the Magic Million's sale for A$60,000.
We’ll also have two contenders in the Group 3 J Swap Sprint - Petrucci and What You Wish For. Both have been training strongly and are ready to give it their all in a highly competitive sprint. At the other end of the racing spectrum, two year olds Towering Vision and Dujardin, both purchased by David from Karaka, make their debut in the first on the programme.
Looking ahead, next week promises more riveting racing action with key fixtures at Te Rapa and Trentham. As the summer season heats up, we can’t wait to see our horses continue their campaigns, targeting future milestones!
Best of luck to all our owners and connections this week throughout — Go The Tangerine!