Te Akau's Truly International Day

Sunday is shaping up to really underline the international aspect of Te Akau Racing.

Tonight Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker lines up one of the favoured runners in the S$1.15 million Group 1 Singapore Derby (2000m) - and although Rockfast, the son of Fastnet Rock out of Gypsy Princess may have (AUS) beside his name - there is no doubt he is a true Kiwi representative in our eyes - and the eyes of his team of loyal supporters who have travelled to Singapore this weekend to cheer him on.

Rockfast was purchased by David Ellis for $410,000 at the 2013 Karaka Premier Sale from the draft of Gordon Cunningham's Curraghmore Stud.  Before travelling to Singapore just over a year ago, he had really made his presence felt as a three year old in New Zealand.

He finished second to the smart Turn Me Loose in the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas and we know what that horse has done since.  Then he was runner up in the Group 2 Great Northern Guineas on New Year's Day 2015, running in to another very 'good sort' in Volkstok'n'barrell who again just managed to nose him into second in the Listed Karaka Mile.

During his time in New Zealand, he raced 11 times for one win, five second and three third placings for stakes of $134,675 - reflecting his consistent performance at the elite level.

Following the astute advice of David, Rockfast's owners agreed to send him to Singapore as he looked to be a horse that would be better with age - and of course the Derby in Singapore is staged for four year olds.  In his 15 starts under Mark, Rockfast has won four times and had a first-four finish on six other occasions, collecting S$175,335 in prize money.  Today could be his biggest pay day yet but as we all know, you always need more than a bit of luck on your side against elite opposition in these premier races.

However Rockfast's lead up could not have been more encouraging as he emerged as a true Derby contender in the past month.  He has really matured since arriving in Singapore and his last start back to back wins, over 2000m and against very good company, have made commentators sit up and take notice and underline the fact that he is in the right form to take on this Number 1 assignment.  A little bit of rain would be a brilliant assist too!

Tonight at Kranji, with the emergencies out, we expect him to move into barrier seven or eight and he will have the magical touch of Champion Singapore jockey Manuel Nunes who will give Rockfast every chance to become Te Akau's first Derby winner.

GOOD LUCK TEAM!  now FROM SINGAPORE to INNER MONGOLIA ...

It's not just Singapore however where Te Akau Racing will be prominent - we will be making history in another country!

Te Akau Racing, along with New Zealand Bloodstock and New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing, today will sponsor the inaugural Group 3 Te Akau Racing Stakes at Korchin in Inner Mongolia, China - in association with Rider Horse.

"Te Akau Racing is proud to have worked with Mr Lang Lin and the Rider Horse Group to stage our first international race day sponsorship," says David Ellis.

"Although relatively new in international terms, racing in China is accelerating at a rapid rate and that's in no small way to the efforts and passion of Mr Lang, who of course we call Mr Wolf, and his team.  Their support for the New Zealand thoroughbred industry has already been seen at Karaka as well as on the track - just look at the results of horses such as Mongolian Khan, who of course now will benefit our breeding industry as he is set for his first season at stud at Windsor Park."

"From Te Akau's perspective, we are proud and privileged to be part of today's initiative and we look forward to a bright future with this important relationship between New Zealand and Inner Mongolia. With Karyn and me being away, we have sent our Marketing Manager Julia-Rose and our co-trainer Jamie to be our representatives and I know they will thoroughly enjoy this international experience and be great ambassadors for the New Zealand industry as well," David said.