Te Akau TV - Racing Into 2024

Season's Greetings!

A warm welcome to this special episode of Te Akau TV - join us as we unwrap more holiday racing season action and share the thrilling highlights of the past week, especially the six-win Boxing Day bonanza!

It's almost here - a brand new year - not long until we are ringing in 2024.

Everyone at Te Akau Racing can't wait to see what the new year brings. Our NY resolution is the same as last year - to do everything possible to make the success of this year, roll in to the new one for our loyal owners and supporters!

The festivities over the past few days kicked off in style with Certainly's resounding win at Matamata last Friday. The tangerine stars then 'certainly' aligned at Trentham on Saturday with When Stars Align debuting impressively, rocketing into Karaka 2YO Millions' contention, to sit at No.8 on the current Order of Entry.

The 'windfall of winning' with six Boxing Day victories started with another debutant launching himself into the Karaka 2YO Millions' frame too - Cool 'N' Fast went a ripper at Pukekohe to claim the No.4 slot on the Order of Entry. The full brother to our previous Karaka 2YO Million, Group 1 and Champion 2YO of the Year winner Cool Aza Beel, the colt did it the hard way too, coming from last to first with an impressive display of hoof-power.

The Pukekohe prizes continued the next race with Petrucci saluting in the Trelawney colours; then Wild Night was back, bigger and bolder; and Francee stormed home in the last for the Haunui Farm team.

However it was Campionessa who shone brightest in the Group 1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic, her first and so well-deserved elite title. Hers was not the only stakes' win of the day however, with Kai flying down to Wingatui and flying home in the Listed Hazlett Stakes - how grand to see her secure valuable black type.

To win half the programme at Pukekohe was truly humbling and a special salute to our stable rider Opie Bosson ONZM who also rode five winners on the card too.

Two year old success continued midweek with a Te Akau quinella at New Plymouth - Savabeel filly Damask Rose saluted, also taking her into the Karaka 2YO Millions discussion, with homebred Xtravagant gelding Quintefeuille a close runner up.

It was then NZ win 86 for the season as Sense of Timing wrapped up the week's winning, again with Opie in the saddle, and earning her owners (who include our wonderful EA Shanti Brown) a lucrative $20,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Bonus in the process!

So that was the week - no time for rest - upcoming racing promises plenty to look forward to as we gallop in to the New Year!

Saturday it's off to Taupo - then the first meeting of the New Year on 1 January at Pukekohe - a very impressive line-up for a Monday!

Group 1 Sistema Railway - the first Group 1 in the world for 2024
- Maven Belle

Group 2 Skycity Eclipse Stakes
- Move To Strike
- Bellatrix Star

Group 2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes:
- My Lips Are Sealed
- Court Of Appeal

Group 2 Rich Hill Mile:
- Aris Aris
- Cognito

As we race towards the New Year, may the anticipation of racing inspire you, and the thrill of winning delight you!!

Wishing you a very Happy New Year filled with galloping success!