Two Te Akau Tauranga Wins

Te Akau New Zealand trainer Jamie Richards continued his terrific winning form with two winners at Tauranga on Friday - continuing his lead of the Trainers' Premiership.

The first win came courtesy of Snitzel gelding Pacific Coast, ridden a treat by Te Akau apprentice Nik Bakar ...

Appearing to have a bright future when winning his Maiden in March, Pacific Coast (4 g Snitzel - Malibu Road, by Malibu Moon) followed a notable fresh-up fourth with a comprehensive win in the $10,000 Rating 65 1200 metres on 19 October at Tauranga.

Pressured in front by two horses to his outside, Pacific Coast travelled evenly under a measured ride by Nik Bakar and never looked in danger after coming clear at the 300m, in the race sponsored by Quickcount Smart Money Machines.

It was the eighth win from only 16 rides by the Te Akau apprentice and sees him firmly established with the leading strike rate in the jockey ranks, while trainer Jamie Richards leads the premiership with 24 wins and a terrific strike rate of 3.8.

On footing upgraded to Good3, Pacific Coast ran the 1200 metres in 1:12.0 and, as second favourite, paid $4.50 & $1.80 on the NZ TAB tote.

“I said to Nik before the race, if you end up in front you've got to rate him,” Richards said. “There was a bit of pressure, but he went as slow as he could and he found a good kick.

“The horse and rider are both improving and I'm sure they can go on with it from here.”

Owned by the same Te Akau 2016 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) that races 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Embellish (Savabeel), Pacific Coast required gelding and had a bone chip removed from a fetlock after one start as a two-year-old and patiently handled he has now won two of his five starts.

“I'm thrilled for the owners in Pacific Coast, because everything possible that could wrong with a horse has gone wrong with him,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis.

“I remember him taking everything in his stride at the yearling sales and having a terrific temperament. He was a classy colt, beautifully balanced, with a great pedigree, from one of the best families in the world, but nothing has gone his way. The owners in the syndicate have already tasted Group One success and this horse looks like he can win more races.

“It was another very cool ride by Nik, especially when being taken on in front and his record is just incredible. Jamie (Richards) has utilized Nik's weight claim very well, putting him on horses with a good chance and Nik is getting the job done. He won't have his four-kilo claim forever, so we have to make the most it.”

Boasting a lovely Danzig influence on each side of his pedigree, Pacific Coast is from a family that oozes Group performers.

His third dam, Blush with Pride (Blushing Groom), won the Kentucky Derby and the family includes Belmont Stakes winners Rags to Riches (A. P. Indy) and Jazil (Seeking the Gold).

Plenty of stamina through the third dam is offset further up in the pedigree, with his sire Snitzel (Redoute's Choice) being a powerful sprint influence that has also seen his quality stretch to Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) winner Shamus Award (Snitzel).

Presented in terrific order and back boldly to the birdcage, Pacific Coast was strapped by Diego Steele.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz