Te Akau's Back to Back Million

Avantage (2 f Fastnet Rock - Asavant, by Zabeel) was favourite for the big dance, the $1m Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) on Saturday at Ellerslie, and proved too good.

A class act, unbeaten is all four starts, ‘the belle of the ball' for owners in the Te Akau Avantage Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) gave a scintillating performance.

Catching the start beautifully to situate in fourth, Avantage was clear to challenge on straightening, wound into her work and charged home score.

At the line, she had a three-quarter length advantage over stable-mate Al Hasa (Exceed and Excel), while Pinot Grey (Burgundy) fought hard for fifth, with Sword of Osman (Savabeel) and The Real Beel (Savabeel) finishing midfield.

On Good3 footing, Avantage ran the 1200 metres in 1:10.5, last 600m in 35.1, and paid $3.10 & $1.60 on the NZ TAB tote.

Training partners Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, and stable rider Opie Bosson had combined to win the corresponding race last year with Melody Belle (Commands), a winner earlier on the programme for Bosson, with the purchase of both winning fillies knocked down at the yearling sales to Te Akau principal David Ellis.

While Ellis paid $57,500 for Melody Belle, he outlaid $210,000 for Avantage at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the Oaks Stud draft.

“It's the biggest thrill you could have in a lifetime,” said Ellis, surrounded by winning owners and cheering fans in the birdcage, awaiting the return to scale of Avantage.

“Opie (Bosson) has worked so hard to get down in weight to ride this horse, he's just a legend, and it was a great ride by Hughie Bowman on Al Hasa. To have five runners in the race was a huge thrill and they all went well, so I'm very proud.

“(Avantage) she's a Fastnet Rock filly with a beautiful pedigree, was great buying, and Opie told me early on that she was a high-class filly. She trialled at Te Teko, as our policy is in August, on a nice soft track, and she's shown a lot all the way through.

“There is a terrific bunch of people in this filly and they're just over the moon and it's a life changing experience for them.”

By champion Australian sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill), the dam of Avantage, Asavant (Zabeel), won the Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m) as a three-year-old at Riccarton, gaining a group one placing when finishing third in the Darci Brahma International Stakes (2000m), and while destined to get over more ground she is certainly showing her qualities as a two-year-old.

“It's great when everything goes to plan, like that,” said Bosson, who made the choice to ride Avantage over the other stable runners. “Full credit to Te Akau Racing and David Ellis for buying this filly and it's a pleasure to ride for them. I'm a lucky man that gets to put these (tangerine) colours on.”

It was a masterful ride by Opie Bosson, who continues to get the job done on big occasions, and an absolutely super performance by Avantage, a magnificent filly with it all ahead of her.

During the presentation, Sir Peter Vela said: “What an amazing achievement it was by the Te Akau team to have five of the runners in this prestigious race. I would like to thank them all. David Ellis for his judgement in buying this filly and the important contribution he makes at our sales. Trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards for the wonderful way in which they presented their five horses and jockey Opie Bosson for an outstanding ride aboard this horse.”

On presentation of the trophy, David Ellis said: “What a wonderful night it is. A night that is the brainchild of one person and that is Sir Peter Vela. I'd like to congratulate him and his company (New Zealand Bloodstock) along with the Auckland Racing Club for putting on this amazing evening.

“It's such a thrill to have gone to the sales and bought this great filly. She was bred by Coolmore Stud and Southlander Willy Calder. A Fastnet Rock filly that has enormous value and potential, and I'd not only like to thank and congratulate the owners of Avantage, but the owners of all the five horses we had in the race. They are the true heroes, that allow me to go the sales and buy these horses and we are so thankful for their support.

“To our owners that didn't win tonight, you'll be in the winner's circle before too long.

“I'd like to thank Steve and Jamie, to be able to quinella a race like this shows that they have got every part in the stable working properly. The horses tonight looked absolutely amazing and I thank all our staff so much for their presentation.

“They get out of bed at 3.30 a.m. every morning and the results of their hard work is evident here tonight, thank you.

“And to Opie: what a champion.

“Karyn and I are totally grateful to you all for your participation and join with us in the new yearlings we buy over the next week, where the next champion will emerge.”

Te Akau also recorded a big race quinella in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) in November at Riccarton, when Embellish (Savabeel) defeated subsequent group one winner Age of Fire (Fastnet Rock).

Co-trained Jamie Richards summed up the result, saying: “A lot of hard work goes into it. David (Ellis) looks at all the horses and picks out the ones he wants to buy. We get them broken in at the stable, the team at home all do their best for them and it's a massive effort.

“This filly (Avantage) went to South Island, won both her races, travelled back, freshened, and she's just a really professional racehorse.

“She's quiet, eats a big feed, and switches on when it's time to work in training.

“Steve and I have been training together now for two and a half years. We live down the road from each other, work together every day and enjoy a beer once or twice a week, so it's huge. And what makes it even more special is Opie. He's a massive part of our team and you've no idea what it means to us to have him riding, it's just outstanding.”

Avantage was strapped by Tegan Newman.

Footnote: Opie Bosson served his apprenticeship with Te Akau, and co-trainer Stephen Autridge is his godfather.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz