Trobriand Terrific - 3 Win Saturday

Debut winner Trobriand (2 c Kermadec - Arboreal, by Lonhro) made it two from two in terrific style on Saturday at Te Rapa, winning the $50,000 Adashiko Fashion 2YO 1100 metres.

Worthy of favouritism after leading throughout to score comfortably in the 2YO 1200 metres on 28 October at New Plymouth, Trobriand had been given respite by trainer Mark Walker, coming off 43 days, but stripped in great order and certainly looked on the job.

Positioned fourth on the outer by Opie Bosson, in his returning mount following suspension, Trobriand ranged up rounding the home turn, quickened when asked to extend inside the 200m and found plenty to collar pacemaker Shoes (Derryn).

“I'm not too bad and lucky I hit the gym, a bit,” said Bosson, regarding his fitness.

“He gave me a good kick when I asked him and he's a really good little racehorse. He pinned his ears back and tried hard.”

On Soft5 footing, Trobriand ran 1100 metres in 1:04.3, last 600m in 34.1, and paid $1.70 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

“He's very professional and he had to dig deep today, which is good to see in a two-year-old colt,” Walker said.

Walker suggested Trobriand would now have one more start in preparation for the $1 million Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) on Saturday 21 January at Pukekohe, where he will join stable-mates Believe In Magic (Not A Single Doubt), Rhetorical (Snitzel), Balance Of Power (Almanzor), Viva Vienna (All Too Hard), Tokyo Tycoon, and She Turns Heads (Headwater), as current contenders in the Order of Entry, seeking to provide Te Akau with its seventh consecutive winner in the race.

Owned by the Te Akau Island Paradise Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Trobriand was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM for $260,000 in January at the Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud.

“Congratulations to the owners that came into the horse,” Ellis said. “He's unbeaten in two starts and made a great start to his career.

“Paul Pertab is here, he broke him in and liked him so much he took a share. Paul came to work for Te Akau when he was 11 years old as a schoolboy.

“A lot of our long term owners have shares in the horse and we've also got some first time owners, so it's very exciting.”

First time owners David Parkinson, Gerard Brier, Arron Hoyle, and Geoff & Wendy Simcock were on course to experience the victory first-hand.

“I liked the breeding, the Kermadec to be honest, and while this is my first one my Dad has some horses with Te Akau,” Parkinson said.

Simcock said: “I saw Te Akau advertised in the New Zealand Herald and got in touch. It was getting late in the piece and he was one of two horses with shares still available.

“I spoke to both Karyn and David and they were very helpful in us making a decision. We've got shares in Trobriand and Egyptian Queen.”

With a good quality pedigree, his sire Kermadec (Teofilo) included Group One mile victories in the Doncaster Handicap and George Main Stakes, while dam sire Lonhro (Octagonal) - the black flash -was Champion Three-Year-Old, Champion Miler, Horse of the Year, and simply an outstanding Australian racehorse that won 11 Group Ones.

Te Akau has plenty of experience with the extended family, through high quality race mare and fourth dam Arletty (Centaine) leaving Axiom (Zabeel) the dam of Xtravagant (Pentire).

Trained by Te Akau to a sensational 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) victory, and including the NRM Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m), Xtravagant is now a leading young sire in Australia.

Trobriand was strapped by Sarah West.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz