Winner: GG's Group 1 Adelaide Glory

Directly involved in 12 of 16 premiership titles for Te Akau, trainer Mark Walker broke new ground when Geegees Mistruth (4 m Wordsmith – Miss Mana, by Jetball) won the A$1 million Group 1  Sportsbet Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) on Saturday at Morphettville.

Te Akau Racing has won 34 stakes in Australia, including 15 Group One, since Gingernuts (Iffraaj) won the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) in 2017, and Geegees Misstruth provided their first in South Australia. 

Walker commenced training for Te Akau on 1997, winning five Champion Trainer titles before setting up shop for the stable in 2011 in Singapore, where he won a further four premierships, and returned home in 2022 to quickly set a New Zealand record of 203 wins in the 2022/23 season, in a sequence that has Te Akau winning the last six premierships in a row and currently leading with 114 wins this season, with over $7.7 million in prize money.

The winner of seven races from 19 starts and now NZ$1,522,836 in prize money, Geegees Mistruth had her first start for Walker last October, and staged some super performances to place in four of seven starts, while being unlucky not to have won.

Two starts ago, she finished strongly in the Newmarket Handicap (Gr. 1, 1200m) on 7 March at Flemington, and most recently emulated for second following an economical trip in the Open Handicap 1100 metres on 3 April at Ballarat.

In a race previously won by the unbeaten superstar Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), Geegees Mistruth began well for jockey Jordan Childs, son of iconic Kiwi jockey Greg Childs, before steadying for cover beyond midfield (ninth), but she was able track clear at will entering the home straight and produced her customary strong finish to score in a blanket finish.

“I’m very grateful to the connections and to win another Group One, it’s great,” said Childs, who recently rode his 1000th winner. 

“It worked out perfectly and she was really relaxed today. I got into the three-wide line, got moving at the right time, and she quickened up well. 

“Dad (Greg Childs) rode 72 Group One winners, so I’m 70 behind him now.”

On Good4 footing, Geegees Mistruth ran 1200 metres in 1:10.0, last 600m in 33.4, and drifted in betting to pay $38.40 & $8.30 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It was a very satisfying win today in Adelaide,” Walker said. “Her barrier manners had been well documented after rearing at the start and taking no part in the Oakleigh Plate (Gr. 1, 1100m), but we entrusted the help of Julien Welsh and his wonderful team, to help with the barriers.

“Ben (Gleeson) and I were impressed when watching her work together on Monday and Laura Winks, who rides her, said it was an outstanding piece of work.

“It’s great for the owners, they’ve been great supporters, flown over from Tasmania for her races. They went through the low in February on Oakleigh Plate Day at Caulfield, and now the high of today.

“She’s only a four-year-old and she’s going to continue to be a really nice mare going forward, as well, and obviously now as a Group One winner, it’s the ultimate for them.”

Assistant trainer Ben Gleeson added: “She arrived in our camp in the spring and she came over in great order from Tasmania, after being trained by Stuart Gandy who did a wonderful job with her.

“We’ve got a great connection with the ownership group and we promised them we’d try and win a big race with her, and she’s had nothing but doors close, with runs, and bad luck.

“It’s sums up racing there are a lot of lows but when the highs happen, they’re certainly worth it and this mare is now a Group One winner.

“It’s a credit to the staff at home. They’re working their backsides off, but it’s been a good month, we’ve won two Group Ones, and they deserve it for all the hard work they put into the horses, morning and night. 

“We’ve got the most amazing group of staff and clients and they all deserve results like this. 

“She very rarely changes legs, but we saw her do it today and credit to Jordy (Childs) he got his hands down her neck and got there.

“We’re pretty fortunate at Cranbourne. You’ll hear from all the trainers, we’ve got the greatest training facilities in Australia. We’ve got the sand hills out the back, where she (Geegees Mistruth) just lives, and Laura Winks that rides her has done an amazing job. 

“Oceane (Gonel) looks after her. She’s not an easy mare, she’s very temperamental, but she’s got a beautiful soul back in the stables, hence why she’s loved by the staff. On game day, she knows where the white line is.”

Bred and owned by Elizabeth Geard Racing (Mgr: B Geard), dual Group Three and Listed winner Geegees Mistruth provided the first Group One victory for her sire, Wordsmith (Testa Rossa), while dam Miss Mana has now left four winners of 20 races.

Miss Mana has a New Zealand flavour in her pedigree, being by former Fairdale Stud stallion Jetball (Marscay), in turn out of a mare by Sackford (Stop The Music), who also stood in NZ, the sire of outstanding filly and 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Facing The Music. 

Walker also had Wonderful Sky (2 f Ole Kirk – Medic) at the meeting, who followed a close debut second with a strong win in the Maiden 2YO Fillies 1100 metres on 9 April at Pakenham, and stepped up with a terrific run for second in the $150,000 Sportsbet Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m).

Te Akau took their overall Group One tally to 106 with the success by Geegees Mistruth, after Return To Conquer (Snitzel), now standing at Waikato Stud, won the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) last March at Ellerslie, and Seize The Day (I Am Invincible) winning the Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) and Belle Cheval (Savabeel) in the Vinery Stud Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) provided Group One wins 104 and 105 on 28 March. 

Geegees Misstruth was strapped by Oceane Gonel.