Te Akau TV: Talk Derby To Me
Date: 1 Nov 2024
Get set for ICONIC racing ahead - with Te Akau out to make an impact on both sides of the Tasman this huge weekend!
We’re in full stride as Derby Day takes centre stage at Flemington – one of the premier racing events on the Australian calendar and the gateway to Melbourne Cup Week. Saturday will see five of our Te Akau stars competing across an incredible A$4.7 million in prize money, setting up an electric atmosphere that will carry through to the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, the Crown Oaks on Thursday, and the Group 1 Champion Stakes' day next Saturday.
Last weekend brought more fantastic success with another four-win Saturday - three wins for our Riccarton stable as Malmaison, Perfect Scenario, and Can’t Kach Me saluted the judge, underlining the fact NZ Cup week is right around the corner (next weekend in fact)! to complement our southern team, Qali Al Farrasha delivered an impressive win at Ellerslie. Now, we’re turning our focus back across the Tasman, where Derby Day awaits with standout talent from our stable trans-Tasman.
Starting the day Our Paramour, another exciting Te Akau trained filly, lines up in the A$300,000 Group 2 HKJC World Pool Wakeful Stakes. With impressive placings and a last-start Cranbourne win under her belt, she may be stepping up in company but she's poised to acquit herself well. Please note Stage ‘N’ Screen has been scratched and win race on Melbourne Cup Day.
The A$2 million Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes will be a high point as Bellatrix Star looks to further show just how talented she is after her impressive Group 2 Schillaci Stakes win. It was her third stakes' victory in a row in Australia, and in winning, she made history as the first three-year-old filly in 21 years to take the Schillaci. Bellatrix Star has taken Australia bay storm and with Blake Shinn in the saddle, she brings strong a winning argument to this feature race for the Fortuna team. Those colours will also we worn by West Indies in the A$2 million Group 1 Victoria Derby as he makes his debut for our stable with Craig Newitt in the saddle. Although he’s new to the team, West Indies has shown consistent form and has drawn the attention of commentators.
Wrapping up the day, Sans Doute, our well-travelled stakes' winner, returns to the scene of some of her finest victories. She just adores the Flemington straight, as evidenced by her record of four wins from five starts on the track. She's one of the favourites for the A$200,000 Group 3 Furphy Sprint and will relish being back on the good ground she will strike in the last!
The Melbourne Cup Week magic doesn’t stop there! With Derby Day launching the festivities, we look ahead to next week’s events: Tuesday’s legendary Melbourne Cup at Flemington, followed by the Crown Oaks on Thursday, and Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas headlines the start of NZ Cup Week at Riccarton on Saturday. Te Akau filly Dream of the Moon will take on the boys too! The racing season is well and truly heating up, and we’re thrilled to share every moment with you.
Thank you, as always, for your support and loyalty - all the best for another big weekend! Go Team Tangerine!