Group Double for Te Akau

Media Release - Wednesday November 10

Fresh from landing the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton last Saturday with glamour colt Noverre, the Te Akau team were again to the fore on the middle day of the New Zealand Cup Meeting.

The Jamie Richards-trained pair of Markus Aurelius and Summer Monsoon landed a stakes double at the Christchurch course, as the powerful Matamata stable flexed its muscle, with both ridden by retained rider Opie Bosson.  

Markus Aurelius lengthens stride under Opie Bosson  Photo: Race Images CHCH

Hardy five-year-old Markus Aurelius was sent out a solid $4.10 second favourite in the Gr.2 Coupland's Bakeries Mile (1600m) and Bosson took luck out of the equation, pressing forward from the outside barrier in the 13-strong handicap.

Horses positioned 1-2-3 in running filled the first three placings as Markus Aurelius prevailed from outsider Seriously, with Colarado Star in third.

“He just travelled beautifully for me throughout the race, we actually got a little bit of cover in behind the leader, which is what we were looking for,” Bosson said.

“I thought I was a sitting duck and I was a bit worried when the other ones came up beside me, but I just brought him out a little bit so he could see them and to his credit he just kept digging.”

The White Robe Lodge-bred son of Ghibellines was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for just $13,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock South Island Sale from the prominent southern nursery.

In advancing his career record to seven wins from 16 starts, the gelding has now earned $246,771 in prizemoney, with Richards’ Assistant Trainer Sam Bergerson indicating the horse was likely to have a break after a fruitful four-start campaign in the South Island.

“The plan was to go forward and slot in and when he got stuck wide, he had no choice but to go forward and that was probably the winning of the race,” Bergerson said.

“He has been consistent all season long and run some brilliant races down here and it is great to see him get the result.”

Earlier on the card Summer Monsoon again showed his affinity for South Island tracks when he steamed home to land the most prestigious win of his career.

Advertisement

Summer Monsoon dashes home to win the Gr.3 Lindauer Stewards’ Handicap (1200m) Photo: Race Images CHCH

The hard-knocking sprinter produced an irresistible finish from well back in the field to claim the Gr.3 Lindauer Stewards’ Handicap (1200m) as the Richards-Bosson juggernaut rolled on.

The seven-year-old Summer Monsoon has now won eight of his 35 starts with six of his victories posted on southern courses – two at Riccarton, an Ashburton brace and one apiece at Motukarara and at Cromwell.

He had opened his Stewards’ campaign in September at Riccarton, where he flew home to finish a close second and, off a subsequent trial outing, went one better in the Ashburton Cup.

“Jamie said it last time, he’s just getting better with age and he just seems to thrive down here,”  Bergerson said.

Bosson allowed Summer Monsoon plenty of time to get into his rhythm and the son of Stratum only had one runner behind him as the field thundered toward the bend.

“It was a great effort and the key to him is to let him find his feet. If you pressure him to take a handy spot, he doesn’t really finish off his races so the speed today really helped,” added Bergerson, son of Group One-winning trainer Roydon.

Summer Monsoon came wide at the top of the straight and let down in style to clock 1.08.61s for the 1200 metres.

The Lance Robinson-trained mare Live Drama again had to settle for second best following her runner-up finish behind the speed machine Babylon Berlin in the Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) on the opening day of the meeting.

Satu Lagi, bred and raced by his trainer Patrick Campbell, finished third after an interrupted run while Team Pitman’s Okay Pal suffered a similar fate before he got home well for fourth. – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment

Race Result - 17th Coupland's Bakeries Mile Gr2 1600m

Riccarton Park Track: Dead(4) Time: 1:36.29
1
Markus Aurelius
- 5g Ghibellines (AUS) x Evancho (AUS) (Shinzig (AUS))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: O P Bosson 57.5
2
0.8
Seriously
- 6g O'Reilly (NZ) x Promenade (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: M E Cunneen Rdr: C W Johnson 53
3
1.3
Colorado Star
- 6g Alamosa (NZ) x Elegant Emerald (AUS) (Unbridled's Song (USA))
Tnr: M P Breslin Rdr: L T Hemi 58
4
1.8
Miss Tycoon Rose
- 4m Written Tycoon (AUS) x Splat (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: C J Grylls 56
5
3.3
Zoltan
- 4g Iffraaj (GB) x Ebony Babe (NZ) (Ebony Grosve (NZ))
Tnr: K Rae & K Williams-Tuhoro Rdr: T R Moseley 53
6
3.6
Germanicus
- 6g Rip Van Winkle (IRE) x St Germaine (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: Ms D Guy Rdr: S R Weatherley 55
7
4.0
Lightning Jack
- 5g Per Incanto (USA) x La Petite (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: K & A Tyler Rdr: Ms K Williams 58.5
8
4.4
Dawn Parade
- 4g Dawn Approach (IRE) x Cuchurita (CHI) (Dushyantor (USA))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: K Asano 53
9
6.6
Hasabro
- 6g Savabeel (AUS) x Halloween (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Carston Rdr: J R Lowry 59
10
9.1
Rock Sensation
- 5g Rock 'n' Pop (AUS) x Cold Snap (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: K Chowdhoory 53
11
9.5
William Wallace
- 9g Darci Brahma (NZ) x Huluava (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: A M Bull Rdr: S J Macnab 53
12
11.2
Whale Song
- 6g Ocean Park (NZ) x Nadel Dame (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: S L Wynne 55.5
13
25.8
Maximus Prime
- 5g Echoes Of Heaven (AUS) x Miss Martika (NZ) (Brief Truce (USA))
Tnr: J C Blackadder Rdr: A Comignaghi 53.5
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday May 14
Here is the full list of 45 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kiwi Raiders Ready for Doomben Feature
Shaune Ritchie has opposing expectations for Nereus and Davideo when the stablemates line-up together in Saturday’s Gr.3 JRA Chairman’s Quality Handicap (2000m) at Doomben.
One to Watch – Pakenham
Grahame Begg has been very patient with this expensive I Am Invincible two year-old filly and on Thursday found a suitable race in which to kick her off with happy results all round.
Riverbank's Attachment to Prince of Caviar
When the opportunity arose to stand Prince of Caviar at their Riverbank Farm, owners Russell and Caroline Osborne didn’t hesitate.
One to Watch – Scone
The two day Scone Cup Carnival kicked off on Friday and the very first race produced a promising debut winner for champion sire I am Invincible that got punters off to a flying start.
Sires With Winners - Thursday May 15
Here is the full list of 45 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Farmer Who Punted the Farm has Subdivision Windfall
In my many years of dealing with clients with breeding and racing properties, it has been very common to consult to them on the tax implications where there is a full or partial sale of the property for subdivision purposes.
HTBA Annual Awards Night Winners
Over 300 industry leaders, clients and supporters attended the Hunter Thoroughbred Association’s 34th Annual Awards night in Scone.
HTBA Awards - Outstanding People Recognized
The Murray Bain Service to Industry Award honours the outstanding achievements of those in our industry who champion exceptional service to industry with hands-on practice and not at a safe distance.
Favourite Rolled in G2 Dante- So Who Was the Winner?
Boom Justify colt Ruling Court would have been resting easy in his box after the running of the Group II Dante Stakes (1m 2 ½ f at York overnight with race favourite The Lion in Winter beaten comfortably in this key lead up race for the Group I Epsom Derby on June 7.