The Warrior Wins

The winning continues for Te Akau owners this time with another son of Pentire purchased by David Ellis from the Karaka Premier Sale - he is one of two horses bought for the Te Akau 2014 Cups' Syndicate - the other being Amperage.  The way Zambezi Warrior won today - expect to hear plenty more from him ...

Zambezi Warrior (3 g Pentire - Zambezi, by Zabeel) delivered on the promise with a timely maiden win in the Matamata Function Centre @ The Racecourse 1600 metres on January 15 at Matamata.

A beautiful rich brown individual, Zambezi Warrior was purchased by David Ellis for $75,000 at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Goodwood Stud, and is owned by the Te Akau 2014 Cups' Syndicate (Mgr: D C Ellis).

It was deft ride aboard the race favourite by Matt Cameron, who had to overcome barrier twelve in a field of thirteen. Zambezi Warrior settled eleventh but looked to have plenty in reserve when standing the leader six lengths at the 600m and once Cameron steered him into the clear at the 200m he powered home to win easing down by one and three-quarter lengths.

“He's got a beautiful action,” said Cameron. “I cut the corner, pushed through and he was too good.

On Good3 footing, Zambezi Warrior ran the mile in 1:36.6 and last 600m in 36.3.

It was the 51^st training success this season for premiership leading trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards.

“I thought 200 (metres) out that he may have left his run a bit late but he finished off really well,” said Autridge.

“He's nominated for the Derby and like all three-year-old winners at the moment, you say Derby bound, and he's starting to look like one.  He's got a pedigree to stay; he's a beautiful big strong horse, with a good nature, so that's where we'll be heading. We'll possibly look at the Waikato Guineas."

The $100,000 Darci Brahma Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) is raced on Saturday February 6 at Te Rapa.

“He was an outstanding first foal from a highly talented mare that was trained by Te Akau,” said Ellis. “Zambezi was a genuine cups' mare before injury curtailed her career and this horse looks like a great staying type.

His grand-dam Tall Poppy (Kaapstad) was as good a racehorse as you are likely to see. A beautiful black mare with a fantastic turn of foot and determination to match, Tall Poppy won eleven races from 1400 metres to 2000m and culminated her career by winning the NZ Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) at Ellerslie. At the highest level, she also won the Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m), Waikato Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m), two Group Two races and two Listed.

Continuing the theme in the family of prolific wins, his third dam, Fun on the Run (Racing Is Fun) won 18 races, including the Jarden Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Trentham.

Zambezi Warrior was strapped by Gary Ritchie, who broke into rapturous celebration in the birdcage as he crossed the line.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz