Te Akau TV - Weekend Preview

FIVE WINNERS, GROUP 3 SUCCESS & ANOTHER SPRING WEEKEND AHEAD

This week, we celebrate five winners and look ahead to another busy weekend of spring racing. From Group 3 contenders at Ashburton to our first two-year-old runner of the season at Hastings, there’s plenty for our owners to follow. We also hear from our New Zealand team in this week’s Te Akau TV.

We’re still on a high after a five-win weekend! Chica De Oro, Pilates and Born To Be Royal brought up a home-track treble at Matamata, while Qali Al Farrasha claimed the Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes at Hawera. Sword Of Stars made it five wins in around 24 hours with her victory at Timaru’s big day celebrating Phar Lap’s 100th birthday.

We love being back in the thick of spring racing, especially with weekends like these. Congratulations to our winning owners, and a big thank you to everyone whose dedication goes into getting our horses to the races in prime condition.

This weekend brings another busy programme, with Sweetest Thing and Zafar tackling the Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes at Ashburton, alongside runners at Taupo, Hastings, Arawa Park and across Victoria.

QALI AL FARRASHA RETURNS WITH GROUP 3 SUCCESS

Qali Al Farrasha made a winning return at Hawera on Saturday, taking out the Group 3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes over 1400 metres under Wiremu Pinn.

Already a Group 2 winner and placed four times at Group 1 level, the Almanzor mare added another feature victory to her record and took her earnings beyond $700,000.

It was a particularly special result for Sir David and the connections who bred her. We also bred and trained her dam Nucleonic, so watching the next generation develop into such a consistent performer has been a pleasure.

Known around the stable as ‘Nina’, she has returned stronger as a six-year-old. A short freshen-up at Te Akau Stud now awaits before Mark and Sam prepare her for targets through the summer and autumn.

THREE TO CELEBRATE AT MATAMATA

There is always something special about winning at home, and Saturday gave our Matamata team three victories to celebrate.

Chica De Oro opened our account with a strong return in the Maiden 1600 metres. Our apprentice Hayley Hassman made good use of her draw, settling her behind the speed before finding room to challenge in the straight. The mare finished strongly to reward the patience of her Te Akau Golden Girl Racing Partnership owners.

Pilates followed with an impressive performance in the Maiden 1200 metres. Michael McNab allowed the Savabeel mare to settle before bringing her into contention, and she produced a sharp finishing sprint to win in Waikato Stud’s colours.

Time and careful management have been important for Pilates, making it especially pleasing to see her show on race day the ability she has demonstrated in training.

Born To Be Royal completed the treble in the Rating 65 over 2000 metres. Craig Grylls secured a lovely run behind the leaders, and the Kings Legacy mare dug deep when challenged late. Already twice Group 2 placed, she continues to develop as a staying mare. Congratulations to her Te Akau Moments Stolen Racing Partnership owners on another win.

SWORD OF STARS MAKES IT FIVE

Our southern team kept the celebrations going on Sunday, with Sword Of Stars winning the three-year-old Maiden 1200 metres at Timaru.

Michael McNab settled her midfield before asking her to quicken, and she responded with a decisive two-length victory.

Following her placing in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes, it was an encouraging next step for the daughter of Sword Of State and her Te Akau Stately Hall Racing Partnership owners.

With the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas in view, there is plenty to look forward to as her preparation progresses. Well done to Hunter and our Riccarton team on completing the five-win weekend.

GROUP 3 HONOURS BECKON AT ASHBURTON

Sweetest Thing and Zafar lead our southern team into Saturday’s Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes over 1400 metres.

Sweetest Thing gave her Glentree Racing owners an immediate return when winning the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes on her first start for Te Akau. Hayley Hassman takes the ride as she tackles her next black type assignment of the spring.

Jim Chung partners Zafar, giving the stable two representatives in a race that provides another opportunity to assess our three-year-olds as Cup Week approaches.

Elsewhere on the card, Bellish Boy contests the Maiden 1400 metres, while Trobriand, Insatiable and Charmrose line up in the GD Jones Salute Handicap over 1200 metres.

Stonybreck and Cognoscenti represent the team in the Ashburton Cup over 1600 metres, with Cool ’n’ Fast rounding out our programme in the Rating 75 over 1400 metres.

FROM TAUPO TO HASTINGS AND ARAWA PARK

Friday’s Taupo team includes Zaharias, Sword Of Steel, Petite Rocher and Aquadream in maiden company. Egyptian Queen and King’s English contest the Rating 75 over 1000 metres, while recent winner Geneva Queen is entered alongside Emma Twigg in the Rating 65 over 1100 metres.

At Hastings on Saturday, two-year-old Zanardi opens our programme over 800 metres with Michael McNab aboard. Our first two-year-old runner of the season, Zanardi’s debut is a milestone we are eagerly looking forward to.

Vintage Rose contests the three-year-old 1400 metres under Craig Grylls, while Opie Bosson partners When Stars Align in the Rating 75 over 1200 metres. Origin Of Love completes our Hastings team in the Hawke’s Bay Premier Mile, with Michael also aboard.

Sunday’s Arawa Park entries include Concurrence and Altari. Emma Twigg also holds an engagement there, with her final race-day plans to be confirmed.

ACROSS THE TASMAN

Kiss Me In Paris and Koko are listed to start our Australian weekend at Ballarat on Friday, both over 1000 metres. Harry Coffey partners Kiss Me In Paris, while Stephanie Hateley rides Koko.

Sunday’s Seymour entries include Berardo, Celestra, Gracconi, Meness and Koko, with several holding dual nominations. With horses at different stages of their preparations, there is plenty happening at Cranbourne as the team works towards the weeks ahead.

PLENTY MORE SPRING RACING TO COME

Last weekend gave us plenty to enjoy: mares returning in winning form, another stakes success and a young filly taking a promising step towards Cup Week.

Now attention turns to this weekend’s runners, the final day of the Hawke’s Bay Carnival and the approaching feature meetings at Riccarton and in Melbourne. These next few weeks will shape plans for many of our horses, and we look forward to sharing those decisions and race-day moments with you.

Beyond the track, preparations for November’s Ready to Run Sale are also gathering pace. We will keep you updated as the team gets to work assessing the next potential additions to the stable.

We will also shortly be sharing details of our exclusive Te Akau owners’ area at the Karaka Millions, along with our North and South Island owners’ events.

Thank you to our owners for your continued support - best of luck to all our runners and connections this weekend!

Go the TANGERINE!