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...
King of Roseau Wins G3 Aurie’s Star
Placed in the Listed VRC Poseidon Stakes at Flemington last spring as a three year-old behind Growing Empire, Capitalist gelding King of Roseau returned to the same venue on Saturday to capture the Group III VRC Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m).
Victorian Breeders Celebrate Annual Awards Night
The 2025 Victorian Breeding Awards has once again showcased the outstanding achievements within Victoria’s thoroughbred breeding and racing industry.
Highland Blaze Wins $250,000 Grand National Hurdle
Jumps racing was the highlight at Sandown Lakeside on Sunday with the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) the highlight and the $100,000 Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) offering a great start to the day.
The Novelist Returns to Form
The very first stakes-winner for his sire Written By when winning the Group III BRC BJ McLachlan Stakes in December 2022, The Novelist made light of the heavy 10 track at Rosehill on Saturday to claim another victory.
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 2
Here is the full list of 101 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Inglis Digital Bargain Buys Deliver Kosciuszko Dreamers
Sunshine Law was not the only Inglis Digital success story to come out of the Rosehill meeting on Saturday with two contenders for this year’s $2million Kosciuszko also giving connections cause to dream big and one of them is an unbeaten mare with a Black Type pedigree.
Bred to Win Returns on Monday night
Caroline Searcy’s Bred To Win returns this Monday night profiling new and proven stallions heading into the Spring of 2025 and promoting the thoroughbred breeding industry in Australia and around the world.
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.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Per Incanto Mare Wins $100,000 Polytrack Championship
Synthetic flyer Cosentino silenced any doubt about running out the seven furlongs with a blistering performance to claim Sunday’s $100,000 Japac Homes Polytrack Championship (1400m) at Awapuni.