Te Akau Weekend Update
16 June, 2018
David writes:
After two days of really heavy rain at Te Akau Stud, it is great to see a dash of sunshine today although the skies still look a little threatening - so there looks a good chance that the 70mls of rain we have had this week could well be added to.
Even though at this time of the year Te Akau doesn't have many runners in New Zealand with the deteriorating tracks that winter brings, our planning for a big Spring is already well underway. We use this time of the year for in-depth planning of the next steps and programmes for each horse for the new season.
Most of our Spring horses are back in the stable and we will have a big team stepping out at the first serious trials of the new season in August at Te Teko. We are really excited about the new season and the quality of bloodstock that we have in the stable.
It's just incredible looking back at the horses we have bought this year at Karaka, Sydney, South Island and Gold Coast sales. With shares in all of our Karaka horses well and truly snapped up, there are now only final shares available in three of our Sydney fillies and I reckon they will definitely be part of our "last-to-sell" success stories.
I have often said that there is no rhyme nor reason as to why some horses sell faster than others - for us the bottom line is I never buy a horse that Karyn and I wouldn't be totally happy to race ourselves. This is an important benchmark. Last year two of the last horses to sell were Karaka Million and Group 1 winner Avantage (hot favourite to be Champion 2YO for the season) and also Sword of Osman, our other Group 1 winning 2YO.
Our five fillies from Sydney have all been broken in and are enjoying their first taste of stable life. There is no question we have five beauties on our hands and everyone who handles them has plenty of good things to say about them.
If you are keen on a small share in our Redoute's Choice filly or our two Pierro fillies please email Karyn - we already know how much promise they have, from what they have shown us already, so do take a look at them on our "Yearlings & Shares" page.
We are also excited about the new team members that have joined us in the past week including Paul Richards. Paul of course was a very successful jockey (riding over 1000 winners) and trainer in his own right - Paul will be responsible for our travelling team and also will be brilliant in an apprentice mentor role. We welcome both Paul and Leanne to Matamata.
Paul capped off his training career with two terrific wins by his Rip Van Winkle gelding Mazzurro in Australia. Mazzuro was never out of the money in his four Australian starts with the two wins, a second and a third placing. We are delighted that this exciting young stayer is joining the stable for the new season. Owned by Bill and Sandra Duell who of course raced the very successful Natuzzi, this 3YO has arrived at Te Akau Stud to spell and what a fine looking individual he is.
Speaking of horses re-locating - our recent Australian purchase Augustus is now spelling after his stellar effort for fourth in the Group 1 Queensland Derby at his first start in the tangerine. He is now spelling in Australia and will soon head to our Singapore stable where Mark Walker will give him plenty of time to acclimatise and have at least one preparation before his target mission - the 2019 Group 1 Singapore Derby. Mark has been continuing to roll out the winners and currently lies in third place on the Trainers' Premiership.
It's been a busy week on and off the farm this week - Karyn also was on "Glam-ma" babysitting duties of granddaughter Lucia-Rose while our daughter was tied up with the field days. No complaints, she is very happy about being able to spend time with the wee girl who is now almost four months old.
The only really upsetting part to the week has been Karyn's white rescue mother cat going missing - we haven't seen her for a week now so we are beginning to fear the worst. We have looked high and low - here's hoping she reappears soon.
Today is our vet Dr Doug Black's birthday - not a milestone one but we are sure he will celebrate in style nevertheless - happy birthday from everyone at Te Akau Doug - I hope the All Blacks provide a suitable conclusion this evening to your big day!
The countdown is on to our annual holiday - we love finding a warmer climate for a few weeks and coming back re-charged and fired up for the new season.