Turn The Ace takes out Te Rapa feature

Breednet - Saturday May 8

Rugged two-year-old Turn The Ace provided a second milestone for his sire Turn Me Loose in the space of seven days when he took out the feature event at Te Rapa on Saturday, the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1100m).

Turn The Ace (outer) and Ryan Elliot win the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1100m) at Te Rapa. Photo: Trish Dunell

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained youngster registered the first success as a sire for triple Group One winner Turn Me Loose when he won on debut last Saturday and backed that up with another superb performance to become his first stakes winner.

Rider Ryan Elliot had Turn The Ace away nicely from an inside gate and was content to sit outside a steady pace set-up by race favourite Rangi Toa. The pair established a break on their rivals shortly after straightening and set down to fight out the finish with Turn The Ace getting in the deciding stride to take the race by the barest of margins.

Advertisement

Forsman was delighted with the victory, but admitted it came as part of a bizarre day for the Cambridge stable who had had scored one race earlier with track specialist Crafty Jess in the open 1600m event but had the misfortune to see stablemate Marroni clip heels and fall when lodging his challenge in the event.

“It’s definitely been a crazy day, but it’s very gratifying to pick up a double and to see Turn The Ace win like he did,” Forsman said.

“We weren’t too sure about backing him up after his win last week, but he did really well, so we rolled the dice and got the result we were looking for.

“It was a super win, from a very tough horse, who I think is going to thrive with some time off now before we look at a three-year-old campaign.”

Forsman was pleased to see Elliot not take up the pacemaking role in the race, rather giving Turn The Ace something to focus on and chase down in the home straight.

“I definitely think he is a better horse chasing, so Ryan handled him perfectly,” he said.

“The last thing you wanted to see was for him to lead and maybe knock up in the final stages, but he showed plenty of guts and reminded me of his old man so much with the attitude and determination he displayed.

“We have quite a few by Turn Me Loose in the stable and I think he will definitely make it as a stallion on what they are showing us at home.”

Forsman also reported that Marroni had come through his tumble without any signs of major injury, but was feeling a little stiff and sore, while rider Masa Hashizume was conscious but heading to Waikato Hospital for tests after being clipped by another runner when being thrown clear of his mount. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Centre Stakes LR 1100m

Te Rapa Track: Dead(5) Time: 1:05.61
1
Turn The Ace
- 2g Turn Me Loose (NZ) x Frescoes (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: R T Elliot 56.5
2
0.1
Rangi Toa
- 2c Shamexpress (NZ) x Double Parked (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: S T Collett 56.5
3
1.4
Beldarra
- 2f Hinchinbrook (AUS) x Inside Line (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: L R Noble Rdr: L G Innes 55
Hinchinbrook
4
2.7
Abeyance
- 2f Written Tycoon (AUS) x Charmont (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: S R Weatherley 54.5
5
2.9
Divine Sava
- 2f Savabeel (AUS) x Divine Shiva (NZ) (No Excuse Needed (GB))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: S C Spratt 54.5
6
3.3
Aglianico
- 2f Rubick (AUS) x Gagliano (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: L R Noble Rdr: D S Johnson 54.5
7
3.8
Musigny Lass
- 2f Iffraaj (GB) x Lady Pinot (NZ) (Starspangledbanner (AUS))
Tnr: S & K Alexander Rdr: C J Grylls 54.5
8
4.4
Chancellor
- 2c Vadamos (FR) x Silke Top (GB) (Librettist (USA))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: T Yanagida 56.5
9
37.1
Noverre
- 2c Savabeel (AUS) x Magic Dancer (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle (IRE))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: J Parkes 56.5
More Reading...
French Derby Contender for Godolphin
The Godolphin winning run continued in France overnight with a French Derby contender emerging in the shape of progressive Lope de Vega colt Cualificar, who is out of Fastnet Rock’s Group I Epsom Oaks winner Qualify.
Widden Stud Sell $775,000 Too Darn Hot Colt
Widely tipped as a likely sale-topper at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, the Widden Stud consigned Too Darn Hot (GB) colt from Enbihaar did not disappoint when fetching $775,000.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 6
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Curragh
He’s a Coolmore homebred blueblood, but sired by Darley’s champion stallion Dubawi and Officer opened his stakes account overnight at The Curragh winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1m).
Turn the Ace Steps Up in Trip
Promising three-year-old Turn the Ace showed he won’t be fazed by the longer distances as he matures into his imposing frame after winning nicely over 1600m at Ruakaka on Saturday.
Westbury Stud Announce 2025 Fees
Westbury Stud is pleased to announce the 2025 service fees for its high performing stallion roster, providing breeders with an accessible source of proven bloodlines at excellent value.
First Season Highlights – These Guys Made an Impression
The Inglis Australian Weanling Sale gave buyers the opportunity to have a first look at the progeny of a new crop of  first season sires and the big banger of the group duly produced the highest priced baby from this cohort of sires.
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets New Record at Inglis Weanling Sale
A new record price for the Australian Weanling Sale was set at Riverside today when a Stay Inside x Sheidel filly offered by Noorilim Park sold for $650,000.
Records Tumble at Huge Australian Weanling Sale
The most successful Inglis Australian Weanling Sale in history concluded at Riverside today with a record individual top price of $775,000 paid for a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB), a record gross and record average.
One to Watch – Kembla
Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner Nepotism is not the only talented two year-old winner by Brutal this season that was bred and sold by Gilgai Farm.