Winner: Cognoscenti Conquers

Wrapping up an excellent day for trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, Cognoscenti (4 g Castelvecchio – Irish Goodbye, by Fasnet Rock) won the $35,000 Rating 75 2000 metres on Saturday at Riccarton.

With Te Akau in sight of their seventh consecutive training premiership title, Walker & Bergerson took their total wins this season to 107, with three wins at Riccarton, and one at Otaki.

The win by Enchantment (Hello Youmzain) in the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) was the 16th stakes win, also providing Te Akau their 10th victory in the race, ahead of Insatiable (All Too Hard) stylishly winning the Open Handicap 1200 metres, while blueblood filly Avantaggia (Wootton Bassett – Avantage) won the Rating 65 1200 metres at Otaki.

Last season, the pair established a new record of $9.27 million in prize money, with a tally of 131 wins, and tracking a similar path this year at a healthy 5.9 strike rate and approaching $7.5 million in prize money. 

A course/distance winner in the same grade in March, Cognoscenti had sustained a strong gallop to win a trial on 23 March at Riccarton, and brought the right form to prove competitive with luck from a wide draw (13).

With stable rider Opie Bosson aboard, Cognoscenti went forward to travel boldly in second, led on the point of the home turn, and came clear with a very strong gallop to win by one and three-quarter lengths.  

It was a victory that signalled Cognoscenti had reached another level when it comes to confidence and performance, in an effort that also pleased the rider.

“I think my arms are a bit longer, now,” quipped Bosson, having required a strong hold on the powerful gelding.

"He was going to win a long way out. He was just cruising and ended up winning easily.”

In the race sponsored by Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge, Cognoscenti ran 2000 metres in 2:02.0, last 600m in 34.9, and paid $4.50 & $2.10 on the NZ TAB tote.

“That was his third win this season and he’s a classic example of a horse that has settled in well to the stable environment in the South Island,” Walker said.

“It was a really good win, nice ride of Opie’s, and he’s gaining confidence all the time. 

“He showed a lot early, but lost his way a little bit, and now he’s fulfilling the potential we thought he had. 

“I think he also enjoyed the upgrade in track conditions to Good3, where so many horses appreciate genuine firm footing and he got that today.”

Owned by Te Akau Bid You Farewell Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Cognoscenti was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $200,000 at the 2023 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Landsdowne Park. 

Cognoscenti is from the first crop of outstanding juvenile Castelvecchio, winner of the Champagne Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m), Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m), and runner-up in the Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m), a son of the Champion Three-Year-Old and Horse of the Year in New Zealand, Dundeel (High Chaparral). 

Cognoscenti is the first foal of a mare by Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill), with grand-dam Samarmeteors by ill-fated sire of sires Northern Meteor (Encosta de Lago), the sire of Champion Sire Zoustar.

“He had plenty of natural substance when we bought him as a yearling and he’s developed into a really strong individual this season,” Ellis said.

“I thought he was over racing a bit for Opie, but he jogged up in the straight with a lot more to offer and won convincingly. 

“We only have 20 in work in the stables at Riccarton, but Hunter (Durrant) and the team are doing a great job for us and the three wins today took the South Island tally to 35, including five stakes’ wins. 

“We won the South Island trainers premiership last year and lead again this season, which is a stat that we’re proud of, and the stables down there offer a great facility for our horses and the owners.” 

Ellis also commented on the success of the stables with regards to the yearling sales.

“We’ve had a lot of very loyal support from our owners at Te Akau and that has continued this season, but there is also a great uptake from new owners that want to get involved in racing.

“The great thing about syndication is not only the shared ownership of horses, but also the shared experiences of the owners as they get to know each other.

“We’ve still got shares available in some beautiful yearlings out here on the farm at Te Akau, and people are most welcome to give me a call to discuss any of them.

“We’re racing for terrific stakes money in New Zealand, with the Entain/TAB partnership and NZTR doing everything they can to continually grow the industry.”

Cognoscenti has a nicely balanced and simple bloodline cross through his sire-lines of immortal stallion Northern Dancer.

Strapped by Julie Solomon, Cognoscenti is ridden each day in work by her son, Tyler Solomon.  

Photo credit - Ajay Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz