Treble of Wins at Te Rapa

Te Akau trained Jason Bridgman added three more wins to his tally for the week - now having trained five winners, three runners up and a third placegetter all in the space of 48 hours!

Here was Te Akau's irst winner of the day at Te Rapa -

Sale topping colt King's Rock (3 c Fastnet Rock - Nureyev's Girl, by Nureyev) made the best possible start to his racing career with a smart win in the Tom & Don's Tribute to Dunstan Dave over 1400 metres on Sept. 11 at Te Rapa.

Te Akau principal David Ellis outlaid $1.75m at the 2012 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, for the magnificently built colt and following an authoritative trial win he overcame the outside gate in a field of fifteen to win on debut.

“These Fastnet Rock's really improve between two and three,” said Ellis. “This horse has just started lifting in his work in the last month and it's just so satisfying to see an effort like that from a colt that my owners have put an enormous amount of money into.

“I first saw him as a foal at Cambridge Stud and his half-brother hadn't been showing much at the time, so I was a bit wary, but if he can be as good as King's Rose (Redoute's Choice) he could finish up being a hell of a horse, and she was a really serious horse.

“I was thrilled because we outbid Coolmore Stud to buy him and they're a hard organisation to get past,” said Ellis.

Jockey Matt Cameron eased for cover aboard the $4.70 & $1.90 second favourite, eventually settling well back in twelfth. Tracking into proceedings from eight lengths off the lead at the 600 metres, and appearing to have plenty up his sleeve, once balanced King's Rock unleashed a big finish wide on the track.

On footing upgraded to Slow7, and rated close to Dead by the jockey, King's Rock ran the 1400 metres 1:25.55.

“It was really encouraging, as they didn't appear to go the same tempo as they did in the first [race] and I was a little bit worried how far back he was, because in his trials, obviously over shorter trips, he hadn't really quickened a lot,” said Te Akau trainer Jason Bridgman. “So I thought it was a really good effort to knuckle down like he did.

Asked if he was aiming at early season stakes targets with King's Rock, Bridgman said: “Obviously, with a colt of his breeding we have to look towards that and I'm sure when David Ellis bought him at the Karaka sales we had every intention of aiming towards the classics. He is very progressive and we wouldn't be surprised if he comes out and improves a good few lengths off this run today.

“So, we'll take it run by run but his next race will be a step up again and then we will have to make decisions. But, at this stage we will be keeping the [2000] Guineas in the back of our minds.

“He's on his first racing prep, but we don't have a lot of time heading into the Guineas and you've got to throw them in the deep end pretty quickly,” said Bridgman.  

King's Rock is currently a $26 chance for the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on Nov. 9 at Riccarton.

Matt Cameron was delighted with the performance. “He tended to run away from other horses, but from the outside draw to get up the way he did was very good,” said Cameron. “He's still quite green and had every right to lose it down the straight, but to his credit he dug deep and got up. I knew I had the horse underneath me and although he still has a bit to learn he will be fine.

At the time of purchase, David Ellis had said: “I really wanted this horse for the New Zealand breeding industry. I think it's absolutely essential we retain horses like this to race in New Zealand, then represent us in Australia and further afield overseas. And being a half-brother to King's Rose, which Te Akau trained to become the Filly of the Year, shows he's got terrific breeding potential. Especially being out of Nureyev mare, as worldwide they're highly sought after. If this colt can win Group One races then he's worth real money."

Picture credit www.raceimages.co.nz

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