Te Akau Wins 4 at Riccarton

In a day of mixed emotion with the abandonment of Hawkes Bay - robbing Gingernuts and Chance to Dance their tilt at the Group 1 Livamol Classic - Te Akau's star still shone brightly for our owners with four wins, a second and a third placing at Riccarton - and Griffin's eye catching fourth placing (behind a Burgundy gelding) in there Group 2 Hawkes Bay Guineas before the races were called off ... here is the first of our quartet of Riccarton winners ... Swing Note ...

Swing Note (3 f Encosta De Lago - Andallthatjazz, by Bianconi) got the day off in the best possible fashion when leading throughout in the $10,000 Riccarton Park Function Maiden 1400 metres on 7 October at Riccarton.

She was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $60,000 from the draft of Turangga Farm at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, a sale where he also bought Champion Two-Year-Old finalist Gold Fever (Savabeel). Swing Note is owned by the Te Akau Jazz Syndicate.

“She was a very athletic filly, by a sire we've had huge success with. We really have had some top horses by Encosta De Lago, none more so than Princess Coup and more recently Costa Viva, Echezeaux, and Imperium,” Ellis said. “She was out of a Guineas winning mare and I thought $60,000 was unbelievable value.”

When resuming on 9 September in the 3YO 1000 metres at Riccarton, Swing Note got back in the field, yet still ran her final 600m (33.3) faster than half the field. The performance was not overlooked and
she started $2.90 & $1.40 tote favourite with the NZ TAB.

Ridden off the pace in four starts as two-year-old, registering a second and third and thought enough of to contest the Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m), she led on this occasion under Alysha Collett and had plenty to offer when asked to extend inside the final 200m.

On Dead4 ground, Swing Note ran the 1400 metres in 1.25.9.

“We were very pleased with that,” said co-trainer Jamie Richards, from the course. “Steve (Autridge) and I had planned to probably to ride her a bit colder than that, but she jumped and put herself in the race. She dictated terms (in front) and was very good through the line which should enable her to get over more distance.

“Steve and I extend a big thanks to the team down here at Riccarton: Dan Miller, Tegan Newman, who have recently been joined by Meg Lambert. They are doing a great job with the horses. They all look terrific and we are really looking forward to the next six weeks as we build into cup week with them.

Holding a nomination for the $300,000 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 18 November at Riccarton, where she has shortened in the market from $61 to $31 following the win, Richards said a decision was yet to be made as to the next start for Swing Note.

“Where we go to from here, we're not sure, but probably a mile around Riccarton should suit her nicely and she may go to the Zacinto, but we will assess all the horses and make a decision after that,” he said.
$70,000 Zacinto Stakes (Listed, 1600m): Saturday 28 October at Riccarton.

Ellis also paid tribute to the team at Riccarton.

“Dan Miller and his team have done a great job with this filly since her fresh-up run and it shows, for a young man, just what a true professional and how capable he is.

“One of the great thrills about her win; she is owned by some of our best owners, one of which is Julia-Rose's fiancé Hamish Hayes, and it was his first win as a owner. Julia-Rose bought a share in the filly for his birthday, so it was a big thrill and we all watched the race together at the Hawkes Bay course and it was a great start to the day.

Hayes said: “What an absolute thrill. It was pretty amazing to experience my first win as an owner and it sent a real shiver down my spine. It's amazing the effort by the team to turn her around and win today.

“It's great to be a first time winner with Te Akau, and she was a bit unlucky not to win a race as a two-year-old.”

Swing Note was strapped by Daniel Miller.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz