WINNER: Fabulous Stage at Flemington

Te Akau made a perfect start to the new season when Stage ‘N’ Screen (5 m Ace High – Inthespotlight, by O’Reilly) fittingly won the A$130,000 Horses’ Birthday Benchmark 78 Mares 1410 metres on 1 August at Flemington.

Having closed out last season winning both the South Island and National Trainers' Premierships, it was the Te Akau Cranbourne stable that got things underway in Melbourne.

A debut winning three-year-old at Seymour, Stage ‘N’ Screen had finished fourth in the Listed Amanda Elliott Stakes (1400m) at her only previous course attempt at Flemington and although meeting a strong field, she had previously won over 1400 metres and barrier two looked ideal.

She was given a gorgeous trip in the trail by Logan Bates (a1.5), who was aboard last time out when running home well for sixth in the Benchmark 74 1200 metres on 8 July at Sandown. She travelled sweetly before seizing on the rails' run 300m out and illustrated her willpower to prevail in a close finish.

“It’s a credit to Mark (Walker) and his team, they had this horse turned out perfectly,” Bates said. “She looked amazing in the yard and gave me a lovely feel going to the gates.

“She might have been pretty far back last start, but it was actually a good run from a long way back, which was a really chopped out track at Sandown, and didn’t suit her.

“Everything went to plan. We got a beautiful run in behind and just had to bide our time. She showed a clean pair of heels and was very tough to the finish.

“She’s starting to come of age in this prep and it’s great to get another win for Mark and the connections, also.”

On footing upgraded to Good3, Stage ‘N’ Screen ran 1410 metres in a respectable 1:23.1, last 600m in 34.4, and shortened from an earlier fixed odds quote, $18.00 & $5.00, to pay $8.50 & $2.40 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was a really good win and top ride by Logan Bates,” said trainer Mark Walker, after Stage ‘N’ Screen recorded her fourth win.

“He had to wait for the gap to open and once it did, she accelerated through really well.

“We had a great team of owners there and they were very excited, and was great to see people so happy in the Winner’s Room. 

“The track was upgraded to a Good3 just before her race, so it shows she is very versatile on the tracks she can win on.

“We’ll just see what the handicapper does with her rating, and plan from there, but it was certainly a great way for everyone involved to start the season. Ben (Gleeson) and all the team have been working really hard through the winter and it’s nice to reward them with such a good win.”

Educated through the Te Akau system in New Zealand, Stage ‘N’ Screen was good through the trials' stage with two seconds and a win before transferring to the stable at Cranbourne, and she has proved to be both competitive and consistent while progressing through the grades, which suggests more to come as a maturing mare. 

Owned by the Te Akau Centre Stage Racing Partnership (Mgr: Lady Karyn Ellis MNZM), Stage ‘N’ Screen was purchased by Sir David Ellis for $200,000, from the draft of Kiltannon Stables, at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale at Karaka. Two months later, her half-sister by Satono Aladdin (Deep Impact), sold for $900,000 at the Karaka 2024 Book 1 Sale. 

Ace High, by Champion Sire and sire of sires High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells), won the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) and Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), before hitting the headlines with a Group One winner from his first crop. 

Out of an O’Reilly (Last Tycoon) mare, Stage ‘N’ Screen is a half-sister to Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) placed Japanese Emperor (Satono Aladdin), who also placed in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m), and the impressive winning filly Imperial Empress (Satono Aladdin).

The family is well known to Te Akau, being that of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Amarelinha (Savabeel), whom Ellis purchased as yearling to win the Group 1 NZ Oaks (2400m), Group 2 David & Karyn Ellis Classic (2000m), Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), and Group 3 Sunline Vase (2100m). She went on to claim the NZB Filly of the Year title, which has been won by Te Akau trained three year old fillies on eight occasions.

It is also the family of Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) winner Metal Bender (Danasinga), a son of third dam Jacqwin (Bluebird). Metal Bender won nine races in Australia, and the title of top Australian 3YO in his year, while Jacqwin has left seven individual winners of 22 races. Her sire Bluebird (Storm Bird) is a high-quality influence in any pedigree, although only represented by a select band of mares in New Zealand. 

At the time of purchasing Stage ‘N’ Screen, Ellis said: “She’s a very attractive filly with a beautiful pedigree. Ace High is quickly becoming one of the most promising young sires in New Zealand, and being out of a mare by Champion Sire O’Reilly (Last Tycoon) gives her plenty of upside.”

Stage ‘n’ Screen was strapped by Chelsea Wilson.

Photo credit - www.trackside.co.nz - Bruno Cannatelli