Te Akau's "Season That Was" continues ...

Lucky for some and certainly for Yourdeel - number 13 of Te Akau's 18 Group/Listed wins for the 2018/19 season (seven of which came at Group 1 level). His Listed Matamata Slipper victory proved an "entree" for bigger things to come for the son of Dundeel ...

In a one act affair, Yourdeel(2 g Dundeel - Miss Zapper, by Red Ransom) was massive in winning the $70,000 Waikato Stud Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 23 February at Matamata.

Trailing from barrier one, Yourdeel was clear on straightening before the afterburners kicked in at the 200m and he raced clear to record an outstanding six lengths victory.

“He was going even faster after the post, appreciated the give in the track and should love getting over more ground,” said jockey Matt Cameron.

A horse going places in a hurry, Yourdeel had won his debut by over five lengths in December at Te Rapa, followed with a second to stable-mate Probabeel (Savabeel) in the 2YO 1200 metres on 13 January, and finished third, again to Probabeel, providing a Te Akau trifecta - Aotea Lad finished second - in the $1m Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m), both at Ellerslie. 

“He'd always shown us ability, but was pretty coltish in the spring and as soon as we got that out of the road he's really turned the corner and turned into a racehorse,” said Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards.

“His work had been really strong but I was a little bit worried about the (Slow7) track. He's a pretty exciting horse, I think.

“And, big thanks to Chris Rutten for buying the horse and sending him to us to train. It's great to get that outside support.”

Having won the race last year with Sword of Osman (Savabeel), Yourdeel provided Te Akau with their seventh win in the Slipper, and a quinella on this occasion with stable-mate Aotea Lad (Savabeel) finishing second.

“Jamie (Richards) and Te Akau have been really good to deal with and I'd like to thank David (Ellis) and Jamie for their professionalism,” said Rutten, who owns Yourdeel with John Norwood and Rod Preston. “The information feedback and communications is great and Jamie is doing a really good job training the horses.

“I liked the look of this horse. He looked like he could go early and I follow early types, but I think he'll train on. Being by Dundeel, I was a bit reserved about him going early but looking at the type of horse he is, I know the sort that might, and I thought he'd be a very good chance. I'm rapt about that, but he should be a better three-year-old.

By the Champion Three-Year-Old and Horse of the Year in New Zealand, Dundeel (High Chaparral), who was also Champion Middle Distance Male in Australia, Yourdeel is from the Red Ransom mare Miss Zapper, a winner of three races from 1200m to 1900m in Australia.

“It's enormously satisfying to train a winner for Chris and Donna Rutten at Cavallo Farm and it's great to get their support,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. “They're wonderful supporters of racing. It's an all-round thrill and his team with John and Rod are fantastic to train for. 

“Chris is such a wonderful horseman and would only give horses to people that he has a lot of confidence in, so it's a great accolade for Te Akau. And it looks like they've got a really top horse.”

Yourdeel was strapped by Kate Belsham. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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