Zousain Filly Chasing Stakes Success for Te Akau

Media Release - Thursday September 12

The Victress has got the nod as Te Akau’s leading black-type chance at Riccarton on Saturday, but it might be an opposing stablemate who will lead the chase for higher honours later in the season.

The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained daughter of Zousain will run in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) with About Last Night and Dream Of The Moon to also represent the stable.

The Victress will contest the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton on Saturday.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Opie Bosson will be aboard The Victress, the winner of two of her four starts and she impressed with her first-up victory on the course at the end of last month.

“I’d be leaning her way, in saying that Dream Of The Moon performed up to a really good level as a two-year-old and she has had the experience down the chute,” Bergerson said.

“That will be a massive plus for her, but she’s still not there in the coat and has got a bit of an awkward barrier whereas The Victress can bounce from one.

“She usually shows good gate speed to be right up there and Dream Of The Moon will need a bit of luck so probably leaning The Victress’ way.

“About Last Night was more than game last time, so they are three nice chances.”

To be ridden by Warren Kennedy, About Last Night chased home The Victress last time out while Dream Of The Moon, the mount of Wiremu Pinn, has had two trials ahead of her return to competition.

All three hold nominations for the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).

“Whether The Victress and About Last Night get beyond that 1200m trip is still a bit of a query, they are short, sharp sprinting types of horses so we’ll wait and see,” Bergerson said.

“Dream Of The Moon is one we think will definitely step up in trip.”

The stable has also formed a strong opinion of Savabeel’s son Age Of Discovery, who will debut in the Watch trackside.co.nz Maiden (1200m).

“I’m really looking forward to the colt stepping out in race one, he has been held up by wet tracks up north and funnily enough there’s a bit of rain forecast for Riccarton,” Bergerson said.

Advertisement

“Fingers crossed, he can step out and it is hard for three-year-olds against older horses, even in maiden company, but he is one we really like.”

Vivacious and When Stars Align also give the team a strong hand in the NZB Ready to Run Sale Trainers Series Rating 65 (1200m).

“They are both going well and are two more really good chances for us,” Bergerson said.

Meanwhile, Campionessa will resume in Sunday’s Waitoa FreeRange Chicken Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa but there is an air of apprehension around the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2050m) winner’s return.

“Her trials have been okay and we are mindful that last spring she never came up, so we tipped her out and she found form toward November and Christmas,” Bergerson said.

“That is playing on our minds a little bit, but in saying that we have got her as fit as we can to go the mile first-up.

“The claim will certainly hope and Ngakau (Hailey) is a more than capable young rider.”

Safely through Sunday with an encouraging performance, the focus will turn to Hastings.

“Hopefully, she can run well enough and the second leg (Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate, 1600m) is still an option,” Bergerson said.

“Potentially, she could instead go the Matamata Cup (Listed, 1600m) and then the last leg (Gr.1 Livamol Classic, 2040m).

“We’ll get through Sunday first and hopefully the track is reasonable and then we can make a plan.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Highview Makes Welcome Return to Weanling Sale
Many of the vendors at this month’s NZB National Weanling Sale are familiar faces who are renowned for their quality drafts at this sale every year, but the 2025 edition also sees an old friend being welcomed back to the fold.
Royal Ascot Day 5 – Runaway, Rising Empire and My Best Friend
After five spectacular days of racing, Royal Ascot is over with the finale overnight producing high drama with a runaway G1 winner, the rise of a racing empire and the first stakes horse for St Mark’s Basilica.
Bonny Grey Mare Wins G3 Strickland
Last December at Ascot, popular grey mare Admiration Express (My Admiration) nearly caused the upset result of the year when she charged home at odds of 100/1 in the G1 Northerly Stakes for second behind Victorian raider Light Infantry Man.
Zousain Filly Offers Stakes Potential for Te Akau
Te Akau Racing celebrated five winners across three venues on Saturday, including the exciting return of stakes-bound filly The Victress at Riccarton Park.
Three on the Trot for Zousain 3YO
The Paul Shailer stable has been flying over the winter carnival and one of the stable stars has been Zousain gelding Mister Bianco, who made it three wins in succession when taking out the $150,000 Schweppes TL Cooney (1350m) at Ipswich on Saturday.
One to Watch Wins Again!
It might be winter and all eyes may have been on Royal Ascot this week, but there was a winner at Flemington on Saturday that will have caught the eye of anyone with half an interest towards spring racing and emerging talent.
Aussie Golden Eagle Form Delivers Royal Ascot G1 Finale
There were a couple of Aussie elements to the brilliant victory of Lazzat in the Group I Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (6f) at Royal Ascot overnight as he came to our shores last year and very nearly won the $10million Golden Eagle.
Stakes Goals Ahead for Zousain Filly The Victress
Stakes targets are in the offing for promising juvenile The Victress following her debut win in the Lindsay Goudie & Brian Hare Memorial 1000 at Te Aroha on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 22
Here is the full list of 76 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Cranbourne
Second in the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate last year to Tycoon Star, this Cosmic Force colt made light work of a maiden at Cranbourne on Sunday when bolting away to win as he pleased.