Te Akau TV - Weekend Preview

SUMMER RACING IS FIRING UP!

Welcome to this week’s Te Akau TV for our weekend preview as we look ahead to a stacked weekend of racing across Ellerslie racecourse, Wanganui racecourse, Caulfield in Melbourne, and Ōtaki on Sunday.

This week we’re catching up with Reece Trumper in New Zealand and Ben Gleeson beams in from our Cranbourne stable in Australia as the summer momentum continues building toward the Christmas carnival season.

It was another week that delivered thrills for our ownership groups and supporters. At Pukekohe, we were thrilled to see Qali Al Farrasha capture the Group 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, a performance that epitomised her class, having been four-times Group 1 placed, it was her day to shine.

This week also delivered a winning double for Te Akau with Paravane, the half-sister to Sword Of State, continuing the family line of quality. We were equally excited to see the regally bred King's English, the 3YO colt we secured from Inglis Easter, produce a smashing five-length victory that stamped his authority and delivered a day to remember for his ownership family, a number of who were on course.

And now - the weekend stage is set!

We head to Ellerslie on Saturday with our five stable runners stepping into black type opportunities and maiden targets. The meeting opens with Enchantment and First Light, who have an early eye on Karaka Millions 2YO possibilities, while the promising Woman In Charge has her first start for the stable.

Towering Vision, a 2YO stakes' winner, takes on the Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial race - jumping from barrier five. Charmrose completes our Auckland assembly, aiming for the hat-trick, she's on a winning three-peat streak, which kicked off at Ellerslie in October!

At Wanganui, we have just one runner stepping out at Listed level, Marokopa Falls, contesting The O’Learys' Fillies' Stakes from draw 3, carrying 56.5kgs for Fortuna Racing.

In Australia a couple of very close seconds during the week, set the scene for 'going one better' with three black type contenders at Caulfield on Saturday.

Lyrics 'N' Song, the wonderful Melody Belle's first foal, takes on the A$175,000 Listed Sportsbet Twilight Glow Stakes 1400m, she's drawn out in the field of eight but has the services of former Te Akau apprentice Michael Dee. It's just her third start, but following her second on debut, and confident win last time out, she's got a bright future (and big shoes to fill, we' re pleased that she doesn't know that)!

In Race 7, Jenni's Meadow, wearing the other famous Jenni's colours, does battle in the A$200,000 Group 3 Henley Homes Eclipse Stakes over 1800m with Declan Bates aboard.

Then it's a return that truly speaks to resilience - Bellatrix Star is back after injury. Her recovery has been described around the barn and by veterinarians as nothing short of a miracle comeback from a fractured neck injury, a journey that has reminded us all why patience and belief matter so much in this sport. She contests the A$175,000 Listed Doveton Stakes over 1100m from gate 1, carrying 60kgs, partnered by champion rider of the Spring Mark Zahra. Her's is an amazing story, and we wish her and her Fortuna connections all the very best this weekend, as she marks a truly remarkable return to the track.

Sunday at Ōtaki brings further summer mileage for the stable, with Kinnaird, Truth Or Dare, and Talisker stepping out before Kabugee closes out the weekend New Zealand line-up. Traralgon in Victoria also plays host to raceday on Sunday with a Te Akau trio ready for action there.

It’s shaping as another weekend to really anticipate for Te Akau trans-Tasman and every one of our ownership teams. Best of luck to all our connections! GO THE TANGERINE!