Top Brass - Taupo Win 4

|Debutante Top Brass(4 g Epaulette - Highlight, by High Chaparral) provided Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards with his fourth winner on the programme at Taupo, following a strong performance in the $10,000 House of Travel Maiden 1100 metres. 

Sent forward from a wide draw by rider Opie Bosson to camp on the quarters of stable-mate and race favourite Burgundy Rose (Burgundy), the pair settled down to duel out the finish before Top Brass asserted his superiority over the concluding stages and pulled away near home.

“We were happy with his second at the trials in August at Te Teko, and he only got into the field this morning,” said racing manager Libby Richards. “It was excellent to get the quinella and it capped a great day.

“Burgundy Rose will improve from that run and she always tries really hard. We look forward to her next race.”

$14.30 & $3.10 on the NZ TAB tote suggested the win was a touch outside the square, but Bosson was suitably impressed by the effort. 

“He jumped well and put himself up there, travelled nicely and he showed a good kick,” he said. “It was quite a determined finish, really, and I quite like the horse.”

Owned by T W Archer Trust, M T Beazley, H W Perry, S P Graham, M Darroch, M Douglas, S Gladding & A Dime A Dozen Syndicate, Top Brass is by the multiple Group One winning sprinter Epaulette (Commands). Standing at Darley in Australia, he is the first foal out of a High Chaparral (Sadler's Wells) mare that won five races from 1400m - 1900m, from a good producing dam line that includes talented third dam Superjet (Jetball). 

“It was a good effort by Top Brass and great to get the quinella with a Burgundy filly that Karyn (Fenton-Ellis MNZM) syndicated,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. 

“It was great to see the Te Akau jockeys, Opie and Michael, win four races between them today and also for Jamie (Richards) to have now trained 12 winners this season and lead the premiership at this early stage.

“The staff worked so hard through the winter months and although we never start the season very well, it is a credit to them to have already produced 12 winners. The plough was back in use for the first time on Wednesday morning at Matamata and the tracks getting better, so that generally coincides with our horses racing well and winning races. 

“Also, a lot of the credit goes to the Matamata Racing Club, course manager Graeme Styles, and his team, and the fantastic facilities we get to use. We're very lucky.

“Libby was overseeing the team today, with Jamie in Sydney, and she's doing an outstanding job for us and we're thrilled to have her in the team.”

Jamie Richards said: “Top Brass has always shown plenty of natural ability but had recurring problems with shin soreness and the owners have been very patient.

“Terry and his friends have been a good supporters of the stable and they've got another nice horse. It was a smart win.

“Credit to the staff at home and to Troy (Harris) and the other track work riders because he hasn't been the easiest of horses to handle.”

Top Brass was strapped by Mette Mosebo.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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