Te Rapa Treble - Maasir Magic

NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) nominee Maasir  (3 g Proisir - Maakel, by Swain) took a step closer to the three-year-old staying classic when winning the $10,000 Rating 65 2100 metres on 3 February at Te Rapa.

After finishing second to subsequent Desert Gold Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) winner Force of Will (Power) when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 2 January at Tauranga, Maasir was dominant winning the Maiden 3YO 1600 metres on 20 January at Te Rapa, and trainer Jamie Richards suggested he warranted his chance up in trip.

The race was sponsored by join Team Te Akau - 6 x Karaka Million Winners. It was odds-on that Maasir, who was well favoured ($3.00 & $1.70) would win the race, after winning on the course last start in the Race A Horse with Te Akau - 5 x Karaka Million Winners.

In a typically patient Opie Bosson ride, Maasir was given time to find his feet in the early stages and settled third last of 14. Tracking three wide with cover from the 900m, seven lengths 600m, he quickened into a gap at the 300m and lengthened with a well timed run when asked for his best. It was copybook and what you expect from a man with 79 Group Ones to his credit.

“I've been pleased with him all the way through and it was a nice win,” Richards said. “I was a bit disappointed with his race in October at Pukekohe, when he raced too handily to the speed and didn't finish off.

“We gave him time after that to strengthen up. He won his Maiden well here a couple of weeks ago on soft ground, and has some European blood in his family and can handle easing in the ground.

“I was really pleased with the way he handled the step up in trip, even though he's still quite an immature sort of horse.”

Richards said that following a few quiet days, Maasir would prepare for the $100,000 Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m) on Saturday 20 February at Ellerslie, a race won previously by former stable-mate Gingernuts (Iffraaj) prior to winning the Derby.

“He did it with a fair bit of class there today,” Richards added. “He got back, came between them, quickened in, showed professionalism and it was a lovely ride by Opie (Bosson).

“The team at the Uni Barn have done a great job with him. Shay Carter and Hunter Durrant are running that stable together and Hunter is riding a majority of his work.

“He's an interesting horse, going forward. The owners have been patient and it's nice to see them being rewarded.”

Owned by Te Akau Proisir Pride Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Maasir was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $72,500 at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Leanach Lodge.

Maasir is by emerging young sire Proisir (Choisir), from a mare by International staying sire Swain (Nashwan) that has left four winners of six races, including Kidwelly (Dylan Thomas) who finished second in the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) and fourth in the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m).

“That was a 20 out of 10 ride by Opie (Bosson) and they should be showing that over and over at the Apprentice Schools,” Ellis said.

“There are not many three-year-olds that win against the older horses at their first start over ground (2100m) and I thought it was a hell of a run.

“I bought this horse at the Ready to Run Sale and it's exciting to see him stepping up like he is. He's always looked promising to me. Jamie has handled him perfectly and who knows, maybe he can find his way to the Derby as a decent chance.

“On that run today, you'd think he'd get the Derby trip (2400m) against his own age group for certain.”

Maasir was strapped by Hunter Durrant.

“Hunter is assistant foreman at the Uni Barn and doing an absolutely outstanding job for Te Akau Racing,” Ellis said. “He's a great young man, very personable, and he's got a very good background with horses.”

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz