Te Akau Wins Half Matamata Card - No.1 Phantom Witness

Following two seconds and a smart win at the trials, Phantom Witness (3 g Star Witness - Fandom, by Rock of Gibraltar) made it back-to-back race wins with another strong performance on 2 February at Matamata.

A day after trainer Jamie Richards saddled Prise De Fer (Savabeel) to win the Taranaki Cup (Gr. 3, 1800m) at New Plymouth, and still fresh from winning both the $1m Karaka Million races last Saturday at Ellerslie, with Cool Aza Beel (Savabeel) and Probabeel (Savabeel).

Throw in a week at Karaka, where the Te Akau team bought 33 yearlings, it has been both an extremely successful and busy time for the young trainer.

Owned by the Te Akau Phantom Witness Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he was purchased by David Ellis for $60,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Lyndhurst Farm.

“He's a progressive sort of horse and a good example of the type we try and buy from the Ready to Run Sale,” Richards said. “They keep improving all the time and with a bit of patience he's getting there now. He's got a bright future and looks like he's up to a better class.”

After leading throughout when scoring on debut over 1200 metres on 7 January at Matamata, a decision by Richards and rider Opie Bosson to teach the horse to settle saw Phantom Witness posted wide in fifth before ranging around the home turn and he found plenty after quickening to lead at the 200m.

On Dead4 in the $10,000 Super Liquor Rating 65 1200 metres, Phantom Witness ran the 1200 metres in 1:11.2, last 600m in 35, and strongly fancied he paid $2.00 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“I was pleased to see him get the job done from off the pace today and Jamie (Richards) had said it was a good opportunity to teach him about racing amongst horses,” Ellis said. “It was a huge effort when he crossed and led here on debut and he'll take plenty from the manner of his win today.

“He's a strong and imposing horse and we really did get him for a great price.”

A naturally athletic type, Phantom Witness is by Star Witness (Starcraft), a Group One winner over 1200 metres, while his dam, Fandom (Rock of Gibraltar), won twice to 1200 metres. He has a strong pedigree, with a Danehill cross on the dam side of Star Witness and as the sire of Rock of Gibraltar. 

“We're newbies to the racing game but we had a hell of a lot of fun coming down here,” said owner John Porteous. “We stayed overnight in Hamilton, woke up with the anticipation of what might happen today and what a magnificent result. 

“I love the way Te Akau does their stuff. As I said, we're new, and I said to Beth, horses aren't like cars. You don't just put a new motor in when it blows up. I can see the wisdoms and disciplines of what they do with the horses now. Te Akau is really disciplined in what they do and that's why they get the results. They give the horses time to develop. 

“Our friend Valmae Cameron is with us and the first horse she got into with Te Akau was the Group One winner Hall of Fame.

“The Matamata Racing Club put on a great show and it's really not recognised enough in New Zealand, as much as it should be, how much the clubs look after owners and this club must be one of the best. We really appreciate what they do and we love being associated with them.”

Phantom Witness was strapped by Trevor Stewart.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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