Te Akau's Incomparable Grp 1 Guineas' Record

Te Akau Racing has an incomparable record in the prestigious 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), which it seeks to enhance during Cup Week which commences this Saturday at Riccarton.

In total, the stable has won 13 group 1 Guineas - seven 2000 and six 1000 Guineas' titles.

Saturday sees the 50^thrunning of the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas and Te Akau is represented by Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winner and Group One placed Dynastic (Almanzor), ridden by visiting Australian jockey Josh Parr; up-and-comer Cognito (So You Think) with two wins and two seconds from four starts, ridden by Jason Laking, and consistent young galloper Malborough Bay (Darci Brahma), with Craig Grylls aboard.

The TAB fixed odds market has Dynastic at $5.00 & $2.00, Cognito $5.50 & $2.10, and Malborough Bay $15.00 & $4.20.

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud, colt Dynastic is owned by Te Akau 2021 Stallion Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Owned by Te Akau Think Ahead Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Cognito was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $165,000, from the draft of Baramul Stud, at the 2021 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.

Malborough Bay was bred by Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM and Glenn & Cathie Holmes, sold privately to Fortuna Racing for $80,000, and is owned by the Fortuna Malborough Bay Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin).

Now standing at Waikato Stud, Noverre pictured below (Savabeel) provided the seventh 2000 Guineas for Te Akau last season, when storming home, and he joined other winners for the stable that have subsequently gone to stud: King's Chapel (King Of Kings), Darci Brahma (Danehill), Rock ‘n' Pop (Fastnet Rock), Xtravagant (Pentire), and Embellish (Savabeel), while also winning with Tell A Tale (Tale Of The Cat).

The 50^th1000 Guineas is contested on Saturday week, on New Zealand Cup Day at Riccarton.

Among the nominations, Te Akau has recent Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) winner One Kiss (Tivaci), owned by Lib Petagna, and tough young filly Romancing The Moon (El Roca), owned by the Te Akau Moonstruck Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), and purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM for $50,000 at the 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft Westbury Stud.

The TAB fixed odds market has Romancing The Moon at $7.50 and One Kiss at $18.00.

The Perfect Pink (Savabeel) provided Te Akau with a Guineas' double last season, after heading home a first four for the stable, while previously Te Akau had won the race with Kahma Lass (Darci Brahma), Risque (Darci Brahma), Costa Viva (pictured - Encosta De Lago), King's Rose (Redoute's Choice) and Insouciant (Keeper).

Te Akau first achieved a Guineas' double in 2015, with Risque and Xtravagant, and have a combined total of 13 Guineas' wins to its credit.

The $550,000 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 50^thNew Zealand 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and $400,000 Barneswood Farm 50^thNew Zealand 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) are great classics for the three-year-olds internationally and eagerly awaited every year.