Two Wins for Te Akau NZ

Te Akau Racing trainer Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards and the team were delighted to celebrate not one but two wins today at Ruakaka - Thetruthisoutthere and Love Actually .... here is the first ...

Lovely looking filly Thetruthisoutthere (3 f Starcraft - Absolute Faith, by Not a Single Doubt) elevated her prospects for the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) with a commanding win in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on Wednesday at Ruakaka.

Raced on lease by the Challenge No. 4 Syndicate, managed by Adrian Clark, Thetruthisoutthere is one of eleven fillies that Te Akau has nominated for the 1000 Guineas on 14 November at Riccarton.

“It was a smart win,” said Clark. “She was forced to race pretty hard early and I thought it was a big improvement on her first two runs."

After trialling with plenty of purpose, Thetruthisoutthere did well for second when debuting on 19 August over 1200 metres on deteriorating ground at Taupo. She then produced a solid effort for fourth in the Maiden 1200 metres on Slow8 footing at Te Rapa.

“It may be just sharper fitness and top of the ground,” said Clark, with regards the winning performance.

“She is the first winner for the Challenge No. 4 Syndicate which is great and it's a great result for the breeder Nearco Stud because it's the first foal from the mare and we still have her,” said Clark.

Clark said he would discuss with trainers Steve Autridge & Jamie Richards the prospect of contesting a black type race to measure her worthiness for the Guineas.

“I'm delighted with the job Steve & Jamie have done and the improvement we have seen in her between two and three [years of age]. She was very weak at two, has really thrived and appears a genuine prospect now.

“She was a very late foal (Nov. 15) and while not quite the runt of the litter, she was pretty close to it but she has kept going forward and developed into a big and strong filly. One we hope will continue to be very progressive."

Challenge Syndications is a “relatively-new force”, run by Clark who is vastly experienced in both the racing and breeding industry.

“Very similar to our other syndicates, there is probably fifty people involved, around twenty five percent are also in Secret Spirit (Swiss Ace) [recent winner of four consecutive stakes' races], so they're all very excited and my phone has been red-hot."

Under jockey Matt Cameron, Thetruthisoutthere began well but was posted five wide to the 1000 metres. She received cover in fourth at the 700m, jogged up under a hold circling the home bend, and after quickening to lead at the 300m she worked clear to win by two and a quarter lengths.

Thetruthisoutthere ran the 1200 metres in 1:13.0, last 600m 35.5, on Dead5 footing and returned $2.90 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB.

“It probably wasn't the prettiest ride but she got a bit of a breather across the top and she was always going to win it,” said Cameron.

Her dam Absolute Faith won over 1200 and 1400 metres before proving competitive in quality staying races for three-year-old fillies in Australia.

Co-trainer Jamie Richards said: “Ever since we have taken her to the races she has always given her best and it's nice to have a good filly in the stable for Adrian (Clark) and he's having a great run with Challenge Syndications.

“It won't be the last time you see this one,” added Richards.

Picture credit - www.raceimages.co.nz