Te Akau Win Karaka 3YO Million with Pin Me Up

Media Release - Saturday January 22

On a night he has made somewhat his own in recent years, trainer Jamie Richards scooped a second $1million prize at Ellerslie on Saturday when Pin Me Up scored an upset victory in the Karaka Million 3YO (1600m).

After snaring a sixth consecutive Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) with Dynastic just two races earlier, Richards was confidently expected to do the double with three-year-old On The Bubbles, who started a $1.50 favourite in the race.

Pin Me Up dashes to the front in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) Photo Credit: Trish Dunell

Last season’s winner of the two-year-old feature had a red-hot Opie Bosson aboard, but it all turned to custard for the combination when they were trapped three-wide outside the leaders after making a lightning move to try and snatch pacemaking duties at the 800m.

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Just as On The Bubbles started to weaken and an upset appeared on the cards it was three-year-old Pins filly Pin Me Up who reignited the Te Akau Racing challenge in the race as she strode to the front for rider Sam Weatherley.

Chased hard by Tutukaka, Karman Line and Verona, Pin Me Up held them all out by a neck to score her second and biggest career victory.

Pin Me Up was purchased by Sydney based bloodstock agent Andrew Williams, who has worked in conjunction with David Ellis to purchase horses for owner Peter Collier, outlaying $270,000 to capture her from the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale from Waikato Stud’s draft.

“She has been a slow maturing filly that has needed a bit of time,” Richards said.

“Andy Williams bought her for Peter Collier from Sydney, who owns her and he has been very patient, so I’m thrilled to get a very nice win for the boys.

“You can’t condemn On The Bubbles on that as he was three wide racing on the speed when Opie went forward and got caught out there, which made it an ugly watch.

“Thankfully we had a very able sidekick in Pin Me Up to do it for us.

“I’d like to give the team at home a big thanks as she is not the best of eaters and I’m also thrilled she carries that very good Waikato Stud brand.”

Richards believes the filly, who holds a nomination for both the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham in March will only get better as she matures.

“Whatever she does as a three-year-old, she will be lengths better next season,” he said.

“It’s all in front of her and we won’t rush with her.

“I’d also like to give a big thanks to Sam Weatherley.

“He is the next generation of riders coming through, he has been to Sydney and learnt his craft and after he rode with such maturity for us on New Year’s day, we were happy to give him the opportunity today.”

Weatherley was in awe of what had transpired just minutes earlier as he described his feelings about the victory.

“It’s indescribable really,” he said.

“I came into today with two very nice rides and I’m very thankful to Jamie and to David (Ellis) and Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) for putting me on as they didn’t have to.

“I’m just so glad I could deliver and gee she won with a bit in hand.

“Jamie told me she was a big top three chance and he was spot on.

“I just travelled nicely in my own little world and when we got to the front, I thought I had gone a bit early.

“Fortunately, she is a good filly and it was a super training effort.”

Bred by Waikato Stud, she is by award winning stallion Pins (twice NZ leading sire for global progeny earnings), with her dam, Brampton Loco (O’Reilly), a half-sister to Group Two winner Pimms Time.

Both are out of Zabeel mare Brampton Legs and come from the family of former Australian Horse of the Year, Emancipation, while her third dam La Suffragette left Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Gr.1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) winner Railings. – NZ Racing Desk

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Race Result - Karaka Million 3yo Classic LR 1600m

Ellerslie Track: Dead(4) Time: 1:34.37
1
Pin Me Up
- 3f Pins (AUS) x Brampton Loco (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: S R Weatherley 54.5
2
0.3
Tutukaka
- 3g Tavistock (NZ) x Meleka Belle (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: L G Innes 56.5
3
1.8
Karman Line
- 3f Myboycharlie (IRE) x World Away (AUS) (Pierro (AUS))
Tnr: A D Scott Rdr: C J Grylls 54.5
4
2.0
Verona
- 3f Belardo (IRE) x Spamalot (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: Ms J K Mahoney Rdr: T Yanagida 54.5
5
2.8
Achieve
- 3f Pierro (AUS) x Thee Achiever (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: R T Elliot 54.5
6
3.3
Miss Ella
- 3f Iffraaj (GB) x Zenella (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: M J Mc Nab 54.5
7
5.4
On The Bubbles
- 3g Brazen Beau (AUS) x More Bubbles (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: O P Bosson 56.5
8
6.8
Seven Twenty
- 3f Power (GB) x Ma Belle Ami (NZ) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: S & E Clotworthy Rdr: D J Danis 54.5
9
7.8
The Stoney One
- 3g Pierro (AUS) x Western Gem (AUS) (Charge Forward (AUS))
Tnr: G Lowry & G Cullen Rdr: J K Riddell 56.5
10
7.9
Riverplate
- 3c Flying Artie (AUS) x Dynastic Lady (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Craig & Shaun Phelan Rdr: V A Colgan 56.5
11
8.3
Whiskey
- 3g Burgundy (NZ) x Likeapins (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: S Ritchie & C Murray Rdr: T D Thornton 56.5
12
8.4
Drum Major
- 3g Epaulette (AUS) x Herman (AUS) (Reset (AUS))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: A C Goindasamy 56.5
13
8.9
Reign It In
- 3g Sacred Falls (NZ) x Laurinel Princess (AUS) (Desert Prince (IRE))
Tnr: R J Bergerson Rdr: S M Mc Kay 56.5
14
9.1
Sophisticardo
- 3g Burgundy (NZ) x Glamorous Girl (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: J Parkes 56.5
15
9.7
Turn The Ace
- 3g Turn Me Loose (NZ) x Frescoes (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: D L Turner 56.5
16
10.4
Yes We Khan
- 3g Mongolian Khan (AUS) x Nothing But A Grin (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: B Wallace & G Cooksley Rdr: M Hashizume 56.5
17
10.6
Leading Man
- 3g Showcasing (GB) x Royal Appellant (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: M Cameron 56.5
18
13.9
The Landing
- 3g Tivaci (AUS) x Syrah (NZ) (Traditionally (USA))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: K Asano 56.5
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