Te Akau's 3 Pronged Attack

Jamie Searle reports today on www.stuff.co.nz that Te Akau has a three pronged attack on the Riccarton feature tomorrow ...

Special Memories (main picture), one of three representing Te Akau trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards in the Canterbury Belle Stakes at Riccarton on Saturday, has a bright future.

Te Akau Racing is one of Waikato's elite training and breeding operations. It produced Darci's Dream to win the Canterbury Belle last year.

Richards said Te Akau's contenders this year - Special Memories, Princess Davone and Windborne - were all on trial for the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton in November.

"They are all good chances [on Saturday] . . . it's hard to single one out.

"What Special Memories has shown us, she's got the makings of a nice filly."

The daughter of Fastnet Rock didn't handle heavy ground in her only start this season when seventh of eight in a Pearl Series Race at Taupo on August 19.  As a 2-year-old, Special Memories raced three times for a win and a second and was ninth in the $100,000 Matamata Breeders' Stakes in February. She was caught wide throughout.

Windborne (full sister to Te Akau's winner of last year Darci's Dream - Ed) will be ridden in behind on Saturday in a move to help her relax and not over-race as she did in two of four starts last season. She has won two races and ran a respectable fifth in the Group II Eclipse Stakes at Ellerslie on January 1.

The Canterbury Belle will be Windborne's first race this season. She was given a quiet trial at Taupo on August 19, with rider Cameron Lammas having a tight hold of her at the finish.

Lammas will ride Special Memories on Saturday, while Rosie Myers rides Windborne.

David Walsh is booked for Princess Davone, who easily won a maiden race at Riccarton on September 5. Walsh won last year's Canterbury Belle on Darci's Dream.

Another of Te Akau's 1000 Guineas prospects, Risque, won a Pearl Series Race, for maidens, by 11 lengths at Ashburton last Saturday. Walsh rode her.  Risque will compete in the Canterbury Racing Guineas' Trial at Riccarton on October 3.