Te Akau's Incredible Year in Review - August 2019

It's been an amazing season for Te Akau in New Zealand - with Jamie Richards and the team leading the way - in coming weeks, join us on our reflection of every remarkable month ....

AUGUST 2019 (traditionally a quieter month for the stable)

17 August - Provided the first stakes' race opportunity in the Foxbridge Plate (Gr. 2, 1200m) at Te Rapa. Used as a precursor to the Hawkes' Bay Triple Crown, Te Akau Shark stormed home for second and Melody Belle (Commands) was solid in fourth.

28 August - A winner previously in France, Al Haram (7 g Sea the Stars - En Public, by Rainbow Quest) had been racing solidly before breaking through in the Rating 72 2000 metres at Matamata, ridden by Te Akau apprentice Chelsea Burdan for owners in the Te Akau Star Struck Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis).

Al Haram: “Karyn bought him online in Australia, on the advice of Mark Walker and me,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. “It was great for the owners to get a win and I'm also thrilled for Chelsea because she is working hard, starting to get really fit, and riding out a finish very well. She kept going on that horse and got up in the last two strides.

“We've got a very strong team to
race when the tracks firm, so we're excited heading into the spring and its
great reward for all the staff that have worked their butts off through the
tough winter months. I can see that all their hard work will pay off over the
coming months.”

30 August - At first sighting of the tangerine Te Akau colours this season in the South Island, Bojangles (6 g Roc de Cambes - Stever House, by El Gran Senor) provided an emphatic victory Rating 65 1600 metres at Ashburton.

Owned by Bill & Sandra Duell, who raced multiple stakes performer and 12-time winner Natuzzi (Coats Choice), trained by Paul Richards, Bojangles brought consistent form from the North, had been a winner on slow footing, and registered due reward under a good ride by Michael McNab.

31 August - Day one of the Hawkes Bay Spring Carnival at Hastings, and victories went the way of NZ Horse of the Year Melody Belle (5 m Commands - Meleka Belle, by Iffraaj), defending her title in the Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m), and Burgundy Belle (4 m Burgundy - Spin ‘N Grin, by Spinning World), capped a great day for Fortuna Syndications with a fresh-up victory in the Rating 72 1300 metres. Both were ridden by Michael McNab.

Melody Belle: “It was a no panic ride after she stepped a stride slow, but they went a really good tempo which probably worked in our favour,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “Where she came from today was quite unbelievable and I'm really proud of her.

Te Akau principal David Ellis said: “It was a very exciting win, especially the way she did it, and she really is a true champion.

“I've often said that although
she had such a stellar season at four, Melody Belle could be even better as a
five-year-old and she did so well in the spelling paddock at Te Akau Stud this
year. Eating such a big feed now, I knew she'd take a run to get back into the
zone, but I was unbelievably impressed by her effort and the ride by Michael
McNab was one of the great rides of the year in New Zealand.”

Burgundy Belle: “It's a dream result on a thrilling day,” said John Galvin (Mgr: Fortuna Syndications). “To follow the win by Melody Belle with another really nice mare, Burgundy Belle, and she's fashioning a pretty good record. I'm just so happy to be a part of all this and bring so many thrills to so many people.”

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