Te Akau Shark’s Brother Coppleson Makes Winning Debut

Mark Smith - Thursday August 11

Te Akau Shark’s little brother Coppleson looks to have a promising future after making a winning career debut over 1500m at Newcastle on Thursday.

Ridden by Brenton Avdulla for Chris Waller, Coppleson was given plenty of time to find his feet. Eased back to last early, the son of Rip Van Winkle navigated between runners in the straight to overpower Another Super (Super One) by a half-neck), with Sardegna (Sebring) a further three lengths back in third.

Advertisement

The OTI colourbearer was a $200,000 purchase for McKeever Bloodstock from the Woburn Farm draft at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Bred by Darrell Hollinshead, the son of triple Group 1 winner Rip Van Winkle is the seventh winner from as many to race out of the Group II Waikato  Gold Cup winner Bak Da Chief (Chief Bearhart).

The courageous Te Akau Shark won seven of 14 starts before an injury ended his career.

Coppleson a $200,000 Inglis Easter yearling

His successes included the Group 1 WaikRC Waikato Sprint and Group 1 ATC Chipping Norton Stakes, and he was placed a further three times at the highest level in the Cox Plate, Epsom Hcp and George Ryder Stakes.

Woburn Farm offered a sister to Te Akau Shark and Coppleson at the 2022 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale but left the ring unsold when bidding stopped short of her $200,000 reserve.

The 20yo Bak Da Chief missed in 2020 and was covered by Circus Maximus (IRE) last spring. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Hungerford Hill Mdn Hcp 1500m

Newcastle Track: Heavy(8) Time: 1:34.89
1
Coppleson
- 3g Rip Van Winkle (IRE) x Bak Da Chief (NZ) (Chief Bearhart (CAN))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: B Avdulla 56.5
2
0.2
Another Super
- 5g Super One (AUS) x Junebug (AUS) (Shovhog (AUS))
Tnr: M J Dwyer Rdr: J Ford 55
3
3.2
Sardegna
- 4g Sebring (AUS) x Bonaria (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 59
4
4.1
Parsonage Lane
- 3c Redoute's Choice (AUS) x The Hamptons (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: C Schofield 56.5
5
6.4
Gotta Fly
- 3g Flying Artie (AUS) x Late Spring (USA) (Speightstown (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Regan Bayliss 56
6
7.8
Diaco
- 3c Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Soleil Brulant (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tommy Berry 56
7
8.1
Sharkayva
- 4m Sharkbite (AUS) x Ayva (AUS) (Invincible Spirit (IRE))
Tnr: G McFarlane Rdr: Zac Lloyd 53.5
More Reading...
Victoria’s WorkCover Reform Delivers Measurable Improvements for Trainers
Victorian trainers are seeing clear improvements in how WorkCover claims are managed and injuries are handled, following the introduction of a targeted initiative driven by Racing Victoria (RV) and the Australian Trainers’ Association (ATA) - one that could now be viewed as a national blueprint for industry-led reform.
Magic Millions 2026 – Pinhook Winners
The Magic Millions Yearling Sale last week was fertile ground for pinhookers with 23 yearlings selling for $100,000 or more above their weanling purchase price in Book 1.
Elsdon Park Building Great Record of Success
Lib and Katrina Petagna’s Elsdon Park is fast building a reputation for excellence despite still being in its infancy.
One to Watch – Geelong
A well-bred Written Tycoon gelding made a super impressive winning debut at Geelong on Tuesday when trotting up to win by four lengths with the victory sure to be of interest to the purchasers of his three-quarter brother at Magic Millions last week.
Te Akau Shark Brother Two for Two
You don’t see a lot of yearlings by Galileo stallion Rip Van Winkle (IRE) offered at Inglis Easter, but the full brother to his best horse Te Akau Shark was afforded a slot in 2021 and he’s now come out and won two from two.
Magic Millions – First Season Favourites
We know the sun will rise every morning and that thunder will always follow lightning, just as we knew Anamoe was going to dominate the first season sires at Magic Millions this year, but the stallion that was second on the list was a lot less predictable.
More Choice, More Opportunity at the New-Look MM March Sale
The best incentive sale in Australasia is set to deliver even more for buyers in 2026 with a quality packed catalogue for the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale now online
Pedigree Updates Add to Karaka 2026 Excitement
Anticipation has been rapidly building in the countdown to the milestone 100th New Zealand National Yearling Sale, and a series of significant pedigree updates have only added to the hype.
Aussie Sprinter Primed for G1 Sistema Railway
Cranbourne trainer Cindy Alderson left Ellerslie on Tuesday morning well satisfied that Jigsaw is on target for his Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) mission.
Shamus Award Filly Lands Mega Maiden Bonus for Te Akau
The Karaka Millions and NZB’s National Yearling Sale are among the most important dates on the calendar for Te Akau Racing, and they kicked off the big week on a perfect note on Monday with first-starter Bolli Belle (Shamus Award) striking a NZB Mega Maiden bonus at Wanganui.