Te Akau Chase Back to Back G1 William Reid with Imperatriz

Media Release - Tuesday March 19

Te Akau Racing will hold a strong hand at The Valley on Saturday, with their seven-strong charge being led by their sprinting sensation Imperatriz, who will attempt to defend her crown in the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m).

Imperatriz won the G1 William Reid Stakes last year - image Grant Courtney

After taking out last year’s edition of the sprinting feature, the Mark Walker-trained mare went on to win a further five consecutive races, including four at elite-level, with her picket fence form line coming to an end last start when runner-up behind Cylinder in the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.

“Imperatriz was very tough running second in the Newmarket Handicap last time, is unbeaten in four starts at Moonee Valley, and hopefully she is able to go back-to-back in the William Reid,” Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis said.

Imperatriz will be met in the William Reid by stablemate Skew Wiff, while the stable will also be represented at The Valley by a handful of other runners, including Campionessa in the Gr.2 Sunline Stakes (1600m), Quintessa in the Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m), Certainly in the Gr.3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m), Mehzebeen in the BM78 2500m Handicap, and Prismatic in the MB84 2040m Handicap.

“Quintessa ran a great race for fourth in the Australian Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) last start and I think she’ll appreciate getting up in trip,” Ellis said.

“The two Waikato Stud fillies (Certainly and Skew Wiff) are both of the highest quality, and Campionessa is one of the gamest mares we’ve got in the stable, so we’re looking forward to seeing how it unfolds on Saturday.”

Ellis will be trackside on Saturday and is looking forward to a big day of racing.

“Karyn (Fenton-Ellis, wife and Te Akau Racing director) and I are going over to host our owners and while we’re under no illusions about the quality of the fields, we’re excited about being part of it with some good chances,” Ellis said.

Advertisement

“It’s a massive day for us and maybe the most stakes runners a New Zealand stable has ever had on a race day in Australia.”

Leading buyer for the 18th consecutive year at the Karaka Sales in January, following his notable impact at the Magic Millions Sale on the Gold Coast, Ellis has purchased 50 horses since New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run Sale last November and spent nearly $16 million.

“We based our spend on Australia being the fastest growing and most lucrative racing jurisdiction in the world, and New Zealand prizemoney going ahead in leaps and bounds with the incredible input by Entain in partnering the NZ TAB,” Ellis said.

“We’ve still got shares to sell in horses, but overall, the uptake and support by the loyal Te Akau owner base and new owners has been quite overwhelming.

“People want to see horse racing flourish in New Zealand, they’re very passionate about it, and given the increase in stakes they’re getting involved in syndication ownership.

“We’re really happy with our timing in getting our stable up and running this season in Melbourne, and the training facilities at Cranbourne are absolutely world-class.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Stakes Potential for New Hello Youmzain Winner
Late-season black type is on the radar for Platinum Diamond after an impressive upset victory in Saturday’s Full Circle Appearance Medicine 2YO (1200m) at Wanganui.
Niance Overcomes Serious Injury to Claim Stakes Victory
Exciting New Zealand-bred mare Niance has bounced back from a serious injury and picked up right where she left off last spring, collecting her third consecutive black-type win in Saturday’s A$175,000 Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
Bright Future for El Roca 3YO
Owner-trainer-breeder Kylie Little believes she might have a promising stayer on her hands with Eagle Rock, who left maiden ranks with an emphatic performance in Saturday’s Matt Edwards-Lime Group Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa.
Three Straight Stakes Wins For Cool Aza Beel’s Cool Archie
With no two-year-old currently performing better in Queensland, the Chirs and Corey Munce trained Cool Archie continued his outstanding form, taking out the $1m Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), his third consecutive black type victory.
Kiwi Bred Campaldino Wins G3 for Darby
Promising New Zealand-bred stayer Campaldino passed his biggest test with flying colours at Eagle Farm on Saturday, stepping up to stakes company and adding the A$200,000 Gr.3 Living Turf Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) to his winning sequence.
Hat-Trick for Trelawney Stud Blueblood Filly
Well-related Trelawney Stud filly Madiyya signed off her three-year-old season with a third straight win, this time over 1600m in the A$150,000 Rod Griffiths Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday.
First Local Win As New Endeavour (IRE) Records Stakes Success
While it may have taken the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained New Endeavour (IRE) a while to record his first Australian success, connections were rewarded for their patience as the 5yo dominated under Tim Clark to win the Group 3 BRC Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800m) at Eagle Farm.
Ears Back Wins Listed Stakes at Wanganui
A two-race North Island campaign has ended on a career-defining high for Ears Back and her Rangiora trainer John Blackadder, who scored their first black-type win in Saturday’s Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m) at Wanganui.
Imperatriz Crowned NZ Horse of the Year
Te Akau Racing collected top honours at the 2024 New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards on Sunday evening, which was headlined by Imperatriz, who was named Horse of the Year, while the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson partnership were Trainer of the Year.
10 Time G1 Winner Imperatriz Retired
Australasia’s darling of the turf, Imperatriz, has been retired from racing.