Te Akau's Ellerslie Thursday Group/Listed Trials
28 August, 2025
Te Akau trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson took the opportunity to take a team to Ellerslie on Thursday 28 August for its Group & Listed trials, and to further experience the Strathayr track, as it will host a number of important premier racing fixtures this season:
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing Group & Listed trials at Ellerslie, Thursday 28 August 2025
Update: overcast: cloudy, track: Soft5, markers: out 8 metres.
Heat 1 Open 800 metres (nose, ½ length 48.3)
Hostility (3 c I Am Invincible – Shillelagh) – Opie Bosson; he slotted in for cover in fourth position, found clear air in the straight, and finished solidly to grab the win.
Celestial Wonder (4 m Xtravagant – Meteoric Lass) – Vinnie Colgan; she began well to situate outside the leader, was on terms turning for home, and quickened nicely for a close second.
Family Ties (6 m Contributer – Glamazon) – George Rooke; she steadied back from her outside draw, angled widest in straight, and found line well over sprint trip for a mare who needs much further.
Heat 2 Open 1100 metres (length, neck 1:06.5)
Top Shelf (4 m Savabeel – Saoirse) – Opie Bosson; settled back, she settled fifth of six, was six lengths off the leaders at the 600m, ands held together in straight when not looking entirely comfortable in the conditions.
Heat 3 Open 1100 metres (1 ¼ lengths, 1 ½ lengths 1:08.7)
What You Wish For (5 g Embellish – Grand Wish) – Opie Bosson; he situated second on a soft tempo, edged closer turning for home, and remained on the bridle finishing a good, solid third.
Midnight Blue (9 g So You Think – Midnight Special) – Vinnie Colgan; he travelled easily behind the leaders, and kept going solidly for staying horse over the sprint trip to finish fourth, in a nice hit out.
Heat 4 Open 1100 metres (head, 2 ½ lengths 1:09.3)
My Lips Are Sealed (5 m Ace High – Tellmeaboutit) – Opie Bosson; she began well to settle second on an easy pace, was clear turning for home, and was put under no pressure when running on solidly for third.