Te Akau Chasing More Karaka Millions Day Success

Media Release - Friday January 26

Te Akau Racing have a rich history in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), having won the last seven editions of the race, and Sam Bergerson is hoping to extend their run in his first year at the helm of New Zealand’s leading stable, alongside co-trainer Mark Walker.

“I am massively excited,” he said. “It is a huge occasion and one that Dave (Ellis, Te Akau Racing principal) and the team always look towards from the Karaka sales when they purchase these horses.

“I am extremely lucky to be in the position I am in with Te Akau and getting the opportunity to train these lovely horses. You want it to go well but you take the horses there fit and well and just hope they get their chance.”

Bellatrix Star is second favourite for the Karaka Millions 2YO.

Bergerson couldn’t wish to have a bigger stage for his first Karaka Millions, with plenty of hype surrounding the meeting with its return to Ellerslie to race on its new StrathAyr track.

“I don’t think I have seen so much hype around a meeting – heading back to Ellerslie, with Entain onboard and Boys Get Paid, it is going to be a massive night. I am really looking forward to it,” he said.

Walker and Bergerson, who currently sit on 99 domestic wins for the season, will have four contenders in the Karaka Million 2YO at Ellerslie on Saturday, which may rise to five, with a scratching allowing Damask Rose into the field of 14.

Their charge will be led in the $1 million feature by Bellatrix Star, with the filly to carry the same Fortuna Syndicate colours that Melody Belle carried to victory in the 2017 edition of the race.

Purchased by Ellis out of Phoenix Park’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $80,000, Bellatrix Star has shown plenty of talent on the track, winning two and placing in two of her starts to date.

The daughter of Star Witness was runner-up in the Listed Challenge Stakes (1200m) at Pukekohe in November behind Velocious but turned the tables on her rival when returning to the track on New Year’s Day to win the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) ahead of stablemate Move To Strike, with Velocious back in third.

“Bellatrix Star is a tough, gritty filly who just seems to love her racing,” Bergerson said. “She is absolutely thriving and has got that really good, tough nature, and seems to love a dogfight.

“She is doing everything well and is eating well, and her work on Wednesday was top-notch.”

She will be met on Saturday by stablemate Cool ‘N’ Fast, with the gelding carrying the weight of expectation from Boys’ Get Paid, with the punting group set to take home $1 million if he comes in, having put $50,000 on Cool ‘N’ Fast at $21 in a futures bet.

Advertisement

It has proven to be a clever investment, with Cool ‘N’ Fast going on to win on debut at Pukekohe on Boxing Day, shortening into $7 with TAB bookmakers, and he has shortened even further into $6 ahead of Saturday.

“Cool ‘N’ Fast is the hype horse,” Bergerson said. “He did a little bit wrong (in his debut) but still managed to win, which I think is a really positive sign. He has got a bit of x-factor about him.

“He only worked okay at Ellerslie with Opie (Bosson, jockey) on, but he was much more bullish after Wednesday’s work. He presents in good order.”

Te Akau will also be represented in the race by debut winner When Stars Align and one-win gelding Maracatu, who was runner-up behind Saturday race rival So Naive at Ellerslie a fortnight ago.

“When Stars Align is one from one and his form was franked at Matamata on Wednesday when Unbridled Joy won,” Bergerson said.

“He has gone on since his win at Wellington and has continued to improve and impress us. He looks super. He is a big type of horse that has still got plenty of filling out to do, so he is doing it on raw ability, and he seems to have plenty of that.

“We were disappointed Maracatu got beaten at Ellerslie on the first night (at Ellerslie). He probably got to the front a bit soon, through no fault of Opie’s, and he wanted to pull himself up and do a bit wrong. We will ride him a bit colder on Saturday. He has got a bit of a niggly gate (11), but we will go back and hope for a bit of cover, and hopefully it plays fair enough. It will be interesting to see the pattern of the day.”

While needing a scratching to gain a start, Bergerson is also upbeat about debut winner Damask Rose.

“Damask Rose is one from one and is another filly we really like. She has shown us plenty at home and has gone the right way since New Plymouth,” Bergerson said.

“You wouldn’t be surprised if any one of the four, or five, won it. They are all going in with good form, we are happy with them.”

Velocious heads the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO market at $3, with stablemates Bellatrix Star and Cool ‘N’ Fast the next fancied runners at $4.20 and $6 respectively. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Gosford
He’s big and beautiful and it looks like the patient approach might be about to pay off for this talented I Am Invincible four year-old who won on debut at Gosford on Friday.
Sir Stanley Goosman’s Impact on the National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and a prominent buyer during the history of the Sale was Stanley Goosman (later Sir Stanley).  He was a key player at the Sale during the World War II era, and headed the list of winning owners in New Zealand on 10 occasions.
Breeding to Win - 2025 G1 Memsie Stakes
The big guns step out and spring is on in earnest when the Memsie (1400m WFA) rolls around and what a cracking field we have in 2025 for the first G1 of the Southern spring with 11 runners and 10 are G1 winners!
Stars on Show at Caulfield Spring Opener
The 2025 Victorian Spring Racing Carnival officially bursts out of the gates this Saturday with the Stow Storage Caulfield Spring Opener, headlined by the first Group 1 of the season, the $750,000 Stow Storage Memsie Stakes.
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 28
Here is the full list of 33 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Via Sistina Honoured at NSW Horse of the Year
One of the greatest seasons of all time has secured Via Sistina the TAB NSW Champion Horse of the Year award. The Chris Waller-trained mare was recognised at Racing’s Night of Champions for her outstanding performance in 2024/2025 which included equalling Winx’s record of seven Group 1s in a single season.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 29
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Promising Winner and a Star on the Rise
One of the bargain priced sires on the Newgate Farm roster, Cosmic Force has never lacked for company covering 100 plus books of mares in each of his five seasons at stud so far totalling nearly 700 mares.
Damask Rose Looking to Kickstart Te Akau Melbourne Spring
Te Akau Racing are building a strong record in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m), and they will look to continue that at Caulfield on Saturday when Damask Rose takes her place in this year’s edition.
G1 Plan for Kiwi Sprinter Niance
Six-year-old mare Niance will kick off a new campaign when she lines up in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday week.