New Zealand Racing lynchpin owner Te Akau celebrated New Year’s Day in style with a fireworks display from their athletes at Te Rapa on January 1, led by a third win. consecutively for the mandarin army in the Railway Stakes (G1), the first group on 1 world racing calendar in 2023.
The David Ellis-owned company, which has enjoyed several winning days on the biggest stage, both at home and across Tasman, continues to dominate New Zealand’s New Year’s Day show, despite the former’s departure. head coach Jamie Richards arrives in Hong Kong and this year’s meeting will be in exile to Te Rapa while renovation works continue at its 132-year-old traditional home in Ellerslie.
GAME ON 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣
It’s still 2022 in many parts of the world but the first G1 of the new year is up and running in New Zealand! 🇳🇿
Top @TeAkauRacing mare IMPERATRIZ got her third G1 win with a success on the last step in Railroad Betting!pic.twitter.com/y6U0z9IG9n
– World horse racing (@WHR) January 1, 2023
This year’s turn Empire to shine and receive much acclaim with her third place in group 1, in a race won in the last two years by senior mares participation and Te Akau’s nine-time elite scorer advantage.
However, victory doesn’t seem like a predictable conclusion, since Babylon Berlin clear run with 400 meters to run, keeping a two-way distance from Imperatriz when entering the final 100 meters.
But Imperatriz and Opie Bosson regrouped in the final stages, knocking out Ben Foote-trained opponents in the final stages and claiming a head-to-head victory in a thrilling finish to kick off the New Year. The time of 1:08.90 is the second fastest in the last 10 years.
Mark Walker, who returned from Singapore to take over as head coach of Te Akau in New Zealand after Richards moved overseas, was delighted to see the mare back in the winner’s stall, after suffering shocking defeats in the Tarzino Trophy (G1) and Arrowfield Stud Plate (G1) throughout the spring, ending a streak of five consecutive wins.
“I think it was important to get her back on the ground today and I’m so proud to see the mare back like this,” Walker said. “We have a great team around us at Te Akau, consisting of three or four people who can become great coaches in their own right—and, over time, they will. Today it all came together, and it was a very satisfying result.
“The other big part of it is Opie Bosson. There’s no other driver like him in New Zealand when it comes to major races, and he did it again today.
“Once you have Dave (Ellis) buying them, it’s easier. He’s coming to the Gold Coast next week and I’m looking forward to seeing what he buys,” Walker added.
Bosson, who rode the 4-year-old in both of her enchanted trials, finishing second in the 1,000-meter race at Matamata on December 23, believes she is back close to form. best with his last gasp .
“I think she might not have quite hit 100% in her testing, but she performed very well today,” said the winning driver.
“The race went perfect. I was able to find a good spot and she was absolutely flying when we turned in. She did a great job in the end.”
Imperatriz is a AU$360,000 purchase for Ellis from the Purebred Bhima draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Annual Sale, with the Te Akau team returning to Queensland to sell. every year at the beginning of the season next week.
She was eliminated from the 2nd place group Berimbauwho tricked a pony by capitalist in September before coming back I am invincible .
Regardless of which side of Imperatriz’s brave victory in the Railroad Stake, Te Akau went away with quinellas in the Eclipse Stake (G2) for 2-year-olds and the Rich Hill Mile (G2), when the group possessed power. assert his power over a day in Te Rapa.
Eclipse stakes won by Kermadec pony Trobriandwho beat his fast-ending stable friend Talisman for a cozy 3/4 long win.
Once again partnered by Bosson, Trobriand took its unbeaten record to three and won it on the first bet.
Bosson said: “He just did what he had to do because he was a professional pony.
“The blinkers got him through today and although I had to work a bit from the wide gate (8), he was comfortable beyond the lead and did a good job.
“He’s the kind of guy that’s so laid back that blinkers have honed him a bit. He’s moving well and has a good kick when the powerful 1,200 meters is right down his alley.”
Trobriand was a NZ$260,000 (US$178,078) purchase for Ellis from the draft by Windsor Park Stud, who bred ponies in Australia, at the New Zealand Karaka Bloodstock Annual Sale last year. .
He got off the mare Lonhro plants that live on treeswhose pony? Russian revolution will be offered as Lot 39 in the Volume 1 Sale at the New Zealand Annual National Blood Vessel Sale in Karaka, starting January 29.
The Afternoon of Te Akau is completed by Campionesawho leads home? Belle En Rouge when the couple completed the quinella in the Rich Hill Mile.
The winning treble has lifted top coach Walker to 89 wins so far this season, including 15 at the black level.
Te Akau’s Karyn Fenton-Ellis said: “We’re going through a bad season and we’ll start from 2023 like 2022. “Maybe it’ll go on for a long time! The Rich Hill Mile is one It’s a very special race on the New Zealand calendar that everyone wants to win, so we’re thrilled to be hosting quinella this afternoon.
“Mark Walker is a master craftsman, and all the people around him work incredibly hard, and we are so proud of them. Most importantly, we are grateful to all the owners. Owners have put their trust in Te Akau and bought shares in our horses. Achieving results like this means a lot to them.”
