Te Akau TV - Tangerine Dreams: Dive into the Trans-Tasman 1000 Guineas Weekend

As the sun sets on the week, the sky feels a little 'tangerine-infused'. We can't help but reflect on the racing brilliance that unfolded in the past week and eagerly anticipate the action set to continue!

Welcome back to this week's edition of Te Akau TV, recapping an incredible week at the Canterbury Jockey Club's New Zealand Cup Week carnival and exciting wins from our Victorian stable across the ditch. Joining us today are Te Akau NZ Racing Manager Reece Trumper and Te Akau Australia assistant trainer Ben Gleeson, who will delve into the impressive lineup of horsepower set to compete this weekend.
The past week started off in fine fashion with Ready to Run Sale purchase Savoir Faire winning at Pakenham on Friday night.

As for Saturday - we are running out of superlatives for our 'Queen Of The Turf'! Imperatriz reigned supreme at Flemington, down the straight, to clinch victory in the A$3 million Group 1 Darley Champions Sprint, her 8th Group 1 title. Imperatriz confirmed her status as the No.1 Group 1 winner in the world in 2023 - no horse has won more globally.

Bought by David Ellis CNZM at the Gold Coast Sale for A$360,000, Imperatriz has now won A$5.3 million in stakes. This champion mare, celebrated by some as the best sprinter in the world, now stands shoulder to shoulder with Te Akau's horses Probabeel (Savabeel), a dual Horse of the Year boasting four Group One wins in Australia. Imperatriz is closing in on the remarkable nine Group One wins by Avantage (Fastnet Rock) and the astounding 14 by the national record-holder Melody Belle (Commands), another dual Horse of the Year for the stable - all selected and purchased by David too.

A special shout-out to Talisker, our boy by Embellish, who showcased incredible bravery with a second-place finish in the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas last weekend.

The winning streak continued with two victories on Sunday, featuring an impressive debut by Captured By Love and the eye catching win of Tightly Laced.

The momentum carried through to Wednesday, the second day of NZ Cup week, where we proudly celebrated a Te Akau treble. Fashion Shoot stole the limelight claiming the Group 3 Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders' Stakes.

Before Fashion Shoot's dazzling display, Mazzucato was stunning when, after missing the start, she stormed down the outside in impressive fashion. Dream Of The Moon also lived up to her promise with an impressive showing signalling plenty is in store for her.

A special shout-out to It’s Business Time, who secured important black type when runner up in the Group 3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile for Rodney Shick and the Windsor Park team.

This weekend kicks off on Friday night with Sans Doute and Rubicon Crossing hitting the track under the Friday night lights at Moonee Valley.

Having wrapped up the first round of NZ Cup Week, all eyes are now on the girls - with stakes' winners Viva Vienna and Star of Justice lining up in the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas. These dynamic fillies lead our formidable team of 14 runners in the south.. Meanwhile, our duo of lads, Challa and On The Bubbles, will be vying for victory in the Listed Lindauer Stewards Stakes, while The Mighty Spar and Prismatic seek to secure Group 3 honours in the Martin Collins 160th New Zealand Cup.

Across the Tasman, we will be cheering on Zourionn who contests the A$1.5 million Thousand Guineas at Caulfield. Zourion holds a special place in Mark Walker’s illustrious career. Fun fact: she marked Walker’s 1000th winner in New Zealand with a debut victory at Taupo on February 7. She went on to win in the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes and is now is set to chase Group 1 Australian success - best of luck to Jo and Brendan Lindsay of Cambridge Stud!

The Caulfield action doesn't stop there - last-start Melbourne Cup day Group 3 winner Skew Wiff also sets her sights on an Australian Group 1 prize to match her Kiwi success. Whole she has a sticky draw for the Group 1 Neds Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes she has plenty of ability - good luck to team Waikato Stud with its talented mare!

Switching gears, our team is also looks to make waves at Tauranga, where 10 runners gear up to hit the beac as Group winners Brando and Prise De Fer take centre stage in the Group 2 Gartshore Tauranga Stakes.

Next week David, Mark and the team are full steam ahead for the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka - we have bought fabulous horses from this sale including Group 1 winners Gingernuts, Hall of Fame and Te Akau Shark - watch our website for shares as they sell super fast!

That’s a wrap on what's to come this weekend! We hope you enjoy the journey with us as anticipate the days ahead - can't wait!! Go The Tangerine! ?