Te Akau TV - Weekend Preview
Date: 15 Nov 2024
WITH 1000 REASONS TO TUNE IN, YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS THIS WEEKEND!
Welcome to another action-packed edition of Te Akau TV! This weekend, we’re gearing up for fantastic racing across Australia and New Zealand. Our runners will be hitting the track at Caulfield, Tauranga, and Riccarton where it is the grand finale of Cup Week in Christchurch.
It's easy to give you 1000 Reasons to watch this weekend - our team is primed to take on the prestigious 1000 Guineas on both sides of the Tasman. In Australia, Ready to Run graduate Stage ‘N’ Screen will compete in the Group 1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas, while in New Zealand, Captured By Love lines up in the iconic Group 1 Barneswood Farm 52nd New Zealand 1000 Guineas.
And the excitement doesn’t stop there - we've also been thrilled to welcome Blake Shinn to New Zealand this past week. The reigning Champion Jockey of Victoria has been in Matamata riding our horses in trackwork and for jump outs these past days. Our horses and team have benefited from his top-class guidance and experience and we are looking forward to seeing him donning the Te Akau silks in New Zealand and Australia on many future occasions.
Before we break down the weekend's action we've had some stellar performances from Te Akau runners in the past week:
Te Rapa: La Dorada made an excellent debut win in the Hallmark Stud 2YO 1100 metres, showing tremendous tenacity to overcome a tough run and draw clear of her rivals. Lightly raced mare Fastnet Rock mare Bella Voce also rose to the occasion, winning the Majestic Horse Floats Rating 65 1200 metres with a powerful late finish. Both were ridden by senior jockey Vinnie Colgan and we have all had Vinnie in our thoughts this week with the passing of his mother.
Riccarton: Mazzucato kicked off our day with a determined victory, followed by a terrific effort by Mehzebeen who secured her valuable stakes' victory in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy, establishing herself as a strong staying prospect heading into the New Zealand Cup on Saturday - it was a great catch ride by Sam Spratt and brilliant for Mehzebeen's owners who entrusted her training to Te Akau. She was bought by a very good judge in Danny Rolston who shares in her ownership with his wife Sharon, Sarai Stud, Sonia Waddell, Yasmin and Mark Davis, Betsy and Ray Duncan and Kaye and Tony Howe.
Te Aroha: our fillies put on a show with Celestial Wonder and Ocean Miss both scoring wins. Celestial Wonder, a Te Akau homebred by Xtravagant, was impressive in the Maiden 1150 metres while Ocean Miss gave her syndicate of lady owners a huge thrill. How good to see champion jockey Michael McNab returning to the saddle and winning aboard both fillies.
Riccarton: On the middle day of Cup Week Cool Aza Rene our Cool Aza Beel filly out of an Xtravagant mare made it two wins from two starts. She was her sire's first winner from his first crop when she won at Otaki and she will head back north via Wellington for a tilt at next month's Group 1 Wakefield Challenge Stakes.
With Saturday’s action-packed schedule, Team Te Akau has an impressive lineup at Tauranga, Riccarton, and Caulfield. Our runners will be competing in Group races, Listed events, and high-stakes' showdowns – a true testament to the depth of talent in our stables - and the skill of our training team.
Riccarton
- Group 1 Barneswood Farm 52nd New Zealand 1000 Guineas: all eyes are on Captured By Love as she takes on the best fillies in this classic event. Trained to peak for this race, she’s shown immense promise, and we’re hopeful she’ll deliver a big performance - though we are keeping a somewhat anxious eye on the rain radar.
- Group 3 Martin Collins 161st New Zealand Cup: our talented stayers Mehzebeen and Fierce Flight are set for battle in one of New Zealand’s most revered races. Mehzebeen, fresh off her Listed win in the Metropolitan Trophy, looks well-prepared for this test and we know how tough Wellington Cup runner up Fierce Flight is!
Listed Lindauer Stewards' Stakes: Millefiori, Caravella and Tokyo Tycoon are all vying for top honours in this competitive sprint.
Caulfield
- Group 1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas: Stage ’N’ Screen will take on top company in this premier mile for three-year-old fillies. It's only her third start after winning on debut, she then delivered a strong lead-up coming 4th on Melbourne Cup Day. She’s earned her spot against the elite of her age group, and we’re confident she can make her mark in this Group 1.
- Group 3 Sportsbet How Now Stakes: Sans Doute is looking to build on her recent performances as she tackles a quality sprint field. With her form and class, she’s expected to be in the mix with a better track and has a great chance to shine!
Then on Sunday don't forget to catch Savoir Faire in the Donald Cup where top rider Fred Kersley has been engaged.
Looking ahead to the coming weeks there is still plenty to come! Next week we’ll be cheering for Wild Night, who heads to the A$500,000 Listed Cranbourne Cup in Australia, having joined our growing stable of Australian stars. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, the highly anticipated Pukekohe Cup Day will bring even more action-packed racing to look forward to!
Thank you to our incredible owners, connections, and supporters. We can’t wait to see what this weekend brings for Team Tangerine!