Te Akau Update

David Ellis writes:

Hooray, hooray, hooray! Finally home at Te Akau Stud after a really difficult week at the Mercy Hospital in Epsom, Auckland.  I was so lucky to have been looked after by an unbelievable surgeon in David Haydock and a dedicated team of nurses, all of whom could not have done more to make my stay in hospital bearable.

The good news is that the operation has been a big success and within 10 weeks or so,  I should be better than  ever, although right now I am in quite a lot of pain as the wounds of the surgery heal.  I am really lucky that I have been well looked after by Karyn.  I am looking forward to having some down time at Te Akau Stud and hope to be in Christchurch for the Group 1 NZ 2000 and 1000 Guineas in six weeks' time - that will be my first appearance back at the races I would say.  In the meantime I will be having lots of rest and relaxation at the farm.

The other good thing about these events is that this time of the year is relatively a quiet time of the year for me - so it really couldn't have happened at a better time.  I am already planning and strategising my yearling inspections which will start in December and the surgeons have assurd me that I will be 100% to do that.

I would have to say that Saturday's racing was a terrific thrill - it is just unbelievable the run of success that Jason and the team are having with our 3YO's most of which I have purchased - the likes of Aspen, Wolfwhistle and Costa Viva.

Another 3YO that I bought was Spellbinder and her run in the Listed Soliloquy Stakes on Saturday had to be seen to be believed.  Talking to Matt Cameron yesterday, he said that if he had asked her to, he could have easily put another substantial margin on the field and won by 10 lengths plus.  For her first time at Ellerslie and that way around, her achievement was outstanding - a great tonic for us all.

It was very special to celebrate a quinella in that race and for Ruthless Lady to secure valuable black type for her owners was most rewarding.  She is a Keeper filly that I purchased from Karaka for Roger and Ruth Blunt who have made a substantial invrstment in the breeding industry in New Zealand so we are just thrilled for them.

Our only other runner on the day was King's Rock who I thought cetainly did not disgrace himself - in fact I was pleased with his run.  Even though not winning the Bonecrusher Stakes, remember this was just his second start and when he turned for home he was three lengths off the leaders, and was doing top work at the business end to narow that margin down to only 1.8 lengths.

King's Rock is a colt (the three quarter brother to King's Rose) who needs 1600m.  He has a semi final coming up in the form of the 2000 Guineas but his grand final we are hoping will be the NZ Derby where I believe that the distance will be perfect for this exciting horse.

It's great thrill for me to see all the staff working so hard in my absence and to come home to the farm and see everything under control - that helps the healing process no end.  Thank you to all our staff at both the stable and the stud.

I would like to thank everyone who has called, visited me in hospital, emailed and texted.  Your incredible kindess mean so much to me.  The racing industry is certainly a fantastic industry especially when people have challenges like this - the support has been unbelievable and I thank you all most sincerely.

Of course Karyn and I watched the Singapore races last night and it was one of those frustrating nights - from 'car park' wide draws our first three runners all finished second - so whilst frustrating for sure, at least Mark has the team racing really well.