Yet Another Te Akau Winning Double

The great run of winners continued for Te Akau Racing on Wednesday at Waipa, with Fine Bouquet (3 f Burgundy - Ensorcelez, by Black Minnaloushe) breaking through in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres.

Victories by 14 of the last 24 horses presented by trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, has been matched by Shafiq winning 12 times and placed in eight from 28 rides for the stable - both phenomenal strike rates.

“The stable is absolutely on fire and we've now had 80 wins this season at a strike rate of 5.1,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. “It's a terrific effort and a result of the whole team working together really well.”

Having finished solidly for second on debut in March at Waipukurau, Fine Bouquet did little wrong in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 11 April (Apprentice Jockey Day) at Waipa, and followed with a very convincing win in the race sponsored by Chipperfield All Round Equine Education.

“Apprentice Riders' Day last time here at Waipa, Tegan (Newman) probably lost her compass a little bit, but Tegan and Suppy (Shafiq) are both riding really well and it's good that the stable roll continues,” said co-trainer Jamie Richards.

“He (Shafiq) was smiling from ear to ear when she galloped on Saturday morning, so I'm glad she's fronted up on race day, today.”

Picture perfect in her preliminary, Fine Bouquet was handy on the inner from barrier one before being shuffled back at the 800m and Shafiq did a good job to clear traffic one off the rail turning for home. Once clear, she raced away by two and a half lengths to score easily.

In betting dominated by $1.70 favourite Owen Patrick (Ocean Park), Fine Bouquet drifted on the tote to return $8.20 & $2.10 as third elect. She ran the 1400 metres in 1:27.9, last 600m in 37, on footing rated Slow7.

Bred and raced by David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM, together with Graeme and Christina Mander, she carries a Northern Dancer and Nijinsky cross, and the third foal from a mare whose two previous progeny are both winners.

“I'm thrilled for Graeme and Christina because they've been terrific supporters of the stable,” Ellis said. “They've raced some great horses over the years and you never get sick of winning races.

“Every horse by Burgundy that I win a race with is a big thrill for me. He was a hell of good racehorse, the fastest Te Akau has ever trained and it's no wonder he's doing so well at stud. He's had the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year (Dijon Bleu) in his first crop, which is a tremendous achievement and off a service fee of $6,000 he had yearlings sell for up to $150,000.”

Burgundy gained notoriety as a freshman sire when his first three two-year-olds to race all won and he topped the stakes winners list earlier this season. Standing at Cambridge Stud, he served a full book in 2017 and stands at $12,000 + GST in 2018.

Fine Bouquet was strapped by Kendyll Lee.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz