Te Akau TV Weekend Preview
21 February, 2025
GET SET FOR ANOTHER GROUP 1 TRANS-TASMAN WEEKEND AHEAD!
Last week saw Te Akau owners enjoy another fantastic run of results, particularly at Matamata, where our horses displayed incredible form winning four races on the programme, three at stakes level!
In the Group 3 Fairview Matamata Slipper, Return To Conquer showed his class, putting in a standout performance to take the victory - this talented colt has now recorded three stakes wins from his three career starts. He also became Te Akau's 11th winner of the Matamata Slipper for the 2YO colts and geldings.
The success continued in the Group 2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders' Stakes, with our Karaka Millions 2YO winner La Dorada claiming victory - the stable's 11th in this prestigious event for 2YO fillies. This was a particularly special result, as La Dorada's dam Gold Fever, also purchased by David and trained by Te Akau, had also won this very same race in 2017.
Congratulations also to Michael McNab who rode both two-year-old stakes winners for the stable.
In the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Equine Kaimai Stakes, What You Wish For was also impressive, bouncing back with a strong showing to take the win. Balance of Power also showed plenty of grit to make it four wins for the day for the stable.
Midweek at Riccarton, the winning rolled on with a treble of wins, all ridden by Michael McNab - promising 2YO Best Rose and the experienced Kabugee and Family Ties all saluted the judge. This takes our season's New Zealand tally to 86 wins, 11 at Group/Listed level and over $5.6 million won for our owners in New Zealand alone. We are so proud of our hard-working teams as these results again see Te Akau leading the way for wins, black type wins, and prizemoney won this season.
Looking ahead to this week, there’s no slowing down for Te Akau as we target more high-profile races across the weekend.
Friday sees racing at Wanganui while it's a good idea to stay up late to catch our NZ Cup winner Mehzebeen step out at Moonee Valley tonight contesting the Listed Manhari Torney Night Cup in the hands of Craig Williams.
At Ellerslie on Saturday, we have some key runners to watch. In the Group 2 Eagle Technology Avondale Guineas, Hakkinen will be looking to build on his solid form and take another step towards his Derby aspirations. Alongside him in the Group 3 Eagle Technology Avondale Cup, Midnight Blue will take to the track, looking to cap his recent good form.
Meantime Qali Al Farrasha will be looking to snare her elite victory in the Group 1 Sport Nation Otaki-Maori WFA Classic - having come so close in recent times. It’s an exciting opportunity for Qali Al Farrasha to prove herself against some of the best in the country.
Across the Tasman, we can't wait to see the return of Group 1 winner Quintessa in the Group 3 Catanach's Jewellers Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield. Sans Doute is back too, to take her place against some 'big guns' in the Group 1 Sportsbet Oakleigh Plate. This is an extremely competitive field, but this mare is no stranger to big races, performs well fresh, and we look forward to seeing her return to the track.
Ashburton and Pukekohe will round off our weekend with good racing assured on Sunday!
Our shares are selling very well, and we are delighted to welcome many new owners to the tangerine family - one to keep an eye on is Lot 43 our Almanzor/Kay's Legacy filly - of course, her dam Kay's Legacy is a half-sister to the very talented, dual stakes winner Rise At Dawn who has now won 8 times - most recently at Flemington last weekend when very impressive in the Listed Elms Handicap. She's a gorgeous filly, and part of a family that's really performing!
Have a great weekend - and GO THE TANGERINE!