Saturday could become a landmark day in Te Akau’s near 40 year history.
The New Zealand racing operation, headed by David Ellis, has three Group One chances on both sides of the Tasman.
In Sydney, Te Akau Shark and Probabeel will be chasing elite level riches at Randwick, while closer to home Melody Belle will be vying to become the first horse to secure the Hawke’s Bay’s Triple Crown series when she lines-up in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings.
Te Akau have fashioned a strong record of Group success across the Tasman, headlined by the likes of Darci Brahma, Gingernuts, Te Akau Nick, Distinctly Secret, Princess Coup, Shocking Luck, Avantage, Melody Belle and Integrate, while horses the ilk of King’s Rose, Shillelagh and Risque have come through Te Akau’s New Zealand system before excelling in Australia in recent years.
“We’ve always sent our good horses to Australia, but also been mindful of sending the right horses because it’s never been easy to win over there,” he said.
Photo: Trish Dunell
“First and foremost, you have got to have the right horses. We felt that with Probabeel and Te Akau Shark, after the way they won the Karaka Million (RL, 1200m) and the Coupland’s Mile (Gr.2, 1600m) last season, were horses that could compete at this time of year in Sydney, and they’ve certainly proven that.”
Te Akau Shark put in a pleasing performance to finish runner-up when on Sydney debut last month in the Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m), while Probabeel finished second to Funstar in the Gr.2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
“We’ve been so proud of Probabeel in her first two starts at Randwick,” Ellis said.
“I thought her fresh-up run over 1200 metres in the Furious Stakes (Gr.2) was terrific, but when she charged home to only be beaten a nose last time in the Tea Rose it was pretty hard to swallow.
“We know what a wonderful talent Te Akau Shark is, you have just got to relive his six-length win in Coupland’s Bakeries Mile to remind yourself how good he can be.
The pair will be looking to go one better at Randwick on Saturday where Probabeel will contest the Gr.1 Flight Stakes (1600m), where she has drawn the outside barrier in the select field of six, while Te Akau Shark will jump from gate 16 in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m).
“We’ve had a plan of setting Probabeel for the Princess Series after she won the Karaka Million and an Epsom goal with Te Akau Shark after he won the Coupland’s last November at Riccarton,” Ellis said.
“I think with the right trip in the Epsom he can be right in it.”
Trainer Jamie Richards has been pleased with the pair after their work on Tuesday and is looking forward to their Randwick assignments on Saturday.
“Te Akau Shark worked well on the course proper at Randwick on Tuesday with James McDonald in the saddle. He worked over 1200m and James was certainly happy with his work.
“He has drawn awkwardly (16) in the Epsom, which will make his task a bit more difficult, but he has pleased us and Randwick is a testing mile, so hopefully things go his way on Saturday.”
Photo: Trish Dunell
“Probabeel drew the outside (6) in a small field, so she’s got to go back but won’t be too far off them and she’ll run well. I was really happy with her work on Tuesday morning.
“She worked over 1000 metres on the grass. Ashley Handley, our staff member over here, worked her and I’ve just kept things pretty simple. She’s a filly that could become pretty dour if we stepped up her work too much, so we’ve kept it sharp. She is eating well, held her condition, and I think she looks terrific.”
Casting his eye closer to home, Richards is also looking forward to potentially making history with star mare Melody Belle.
The reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year has drawn barrier two in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) and has been installed as a $1.25 favourite for the third leg of the Hawke’s Bay Triple Crown.
“Melody Belle has drawn well and she’s not going to spend any petrol from there and should get a nice run just in behind the speed,” Richards said.
“She came through her (Tuesday) gallop well, licked the bowl clean last night. She’ll do a little bit of three-quarter (pace) on the grass on Thursday morning at Matamata, as per normal with her.”
Ellis is also looking forward to Hastings on Saturday and said the three legs of the Hawke’s Bay Triple Crown has been a goal for Melody Belle since her victory in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie in March.
“We have tried to separate our good horses where possible, so they’re not clashing against each other in Group One races in New Zealand,” Ellis said.
“The Hawke’s Bay Triple Crown always looked a good target for Melody Belle, especially after she won the Bonecrusher Stakes over 2000 metres at weight-for-age in March, and if she can complete the three race wins then we’ll look at Melbourne.” On a busy weekend, Richards will also have his eye on imported galloper Te Akau Caliburn, who contests the Gr.3 Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington, which holds a ballot exemption for the winner into the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 5
