Te Akau Quartet at Cambridge

Media Release - Wednesday September 18

Te Akau Racing were unstoppable at Cambridge Synthetic on Wednesday, with their quartet of winners including an exciting return of promising three-year-olds Legally Binding and Cantatrice.

Cantatrice was one of four winners for Te Akau Racing at Cambridge on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Before the younger contingent took the spotlight, synthetic specialist Stonybreck added a sixth victory on the course in the “All The News At Trackside.co.nz” (1500m), backing up his success on August 28.

In the hands of rising apprentice Rihaan Goyaram, the son of Tavistock was slow away but travelled strongly throughout the running, and as he loomed around the corner, the win never looked in doubt as he cruised to the line by an extending 3 ¼ lengths.

Sam Bergerson, who trains Stonybreck in partnership with Mark Walker at Matamata, was complimentary of Goyaram’s efforts aboard the 58.5kg topweight.

“Obviously he’s got a fantastic record here, the (weight) claim helped because we stayed in Rating 75 grade, and up in trip really suited him today as well,” he said.

“We told Rihaan to stay out of trouble and that he should be good enough, and he was against a field small in numbers. He kept him balanced and he was strong through the line.”

In the Saddlery Warehouse 1300, Rule Of Law kicked off a consecutive treble for the stable and jockey Wiremu Pinn, settling outside of the leader from barrier four and showing a strong will to win in the closing stages, holding out Spielberg by a neck.

The win was a second for the son of Justify, who has been lightly raced since his debut 12 months ago.

“He looked in a bit of trouble and probably hit a flat spot, but to be fair to the horse he picked himself up and was really strong through the line,” Bergerson said.

“He’s strengthened up nicely this time round, hopefully he can go through the grades this season, and we think that up in trip will really suit him as well.”

It was the turn of Microphone filly Cantatrice in the following contest, the Sastratech 970, showing a sizzling turn-of-foot to match her early speed to romp in by four lengths, ahead of her stablemate Puzzle Master.

Advertisement

Having just her second race-day appearance, Cantatrice debuted on the soft track in April, but showed a clear favour for the fast surface on the synthetic under Pinn.

“She was super impressive when trialling here a couple of weeks ago and she’s trained on since,” Bergerson said.

“It looks like she’s a filly that enjoys the synthetic (track), or just needs fast ground, and the shorter 970m trip really suited her.

“There were a few boxes ticked today and after she jumped well it was a very positive win.”

Completing the four-timer was Legally Binding, showing a similar dash in the early stages to take up the pace making position in a field of five. The son of Exceedance led the field into the home turn and was never headed, holding tough from Anton by a long neck.

The victory was a reward for patience from the stable, following his debut as a juvenile in March.

“He trialled really well leading into his debut run last season at Matamata, but unfortunately pulled up amiss and we gave him a really good break,” Bergerson said.

“He trialled super here a fortnight ago, another one that has trained on well since then, and although he beat a (small) light field, the plan was to be positive and Wiremu did the job perfectly.

“He’s a pleasure to have around the stable. He’s like an old hack, just mopes around for the riders and goes about his business, and he seems to love being a racehorse.”

The victories took Walker and Bergerson to 23 wins this season, seven ahead of second-placed Kevin Myers in the early stages of the New Zealand Trainer’s Premiership. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Sastratech Mdn 970m

Cambridge Track: Synthetic Time: 0:55.81
1
Cantatrice
- 3f Microphone (AUS) x Arabian Gift (IRE) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: W F Pinn 54
NZB Karaka Book 1 $60,000
Seller: Carlaw Park
Buyer: Raumai Bloodstock Ltd
2
3.5
Puzzle Master
- 3g Rubick (AUS) x One Mansini (AUS) (Nicconi (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: V A Colgan 56
3
3.8
Don't Tell Rachel
- 4m Telperion (AUS) x River Nymph (NZ) (Captain Rio (GB))
Tnr: A C Forbes Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 56.5
4
4.3
Wee Thistle
- 4m Burgundy (NZ) x Sea Of Love (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Kevin & Annette Hinton Rdr: T L Newman 56.5
5
4.5
Jamaica Farewell
- 5m Sweynesse (AUS) x Ethics (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: C J Henderson Rdr: Joe Doyle 56.5
6
5.3
Ortem Legacy
- 4m Ghibellines (AUS) x Ortem Fire (NZ) (Gallant Guru (AUS))
Tnr: Conor & Sarah Fahy Rdr: S C Spratt 56.5
7
7
Whiskey Lullaby
- 5g Belardo (IRE) x Lullaby (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Mark Anderson Rdr: J Nishizuka 54.5
8
9.9
King William
- 4g Rip Van Winkle (IRE) x Lia (NZ) (Oratorio (IRE))
Tnr: E P Green Rdr: J J Fawcett 58.5
9
10.7
Pollyisacracker
- 4m Rios (NZ) x Stealer (NZ) (Ishiguru (USA))
Tnr: G K Opie Rdr: C R Barnes 56.5
More Reading...
Breeding to Win - 2025 Manikato Stakes
Racing at The Valley on Grand Final Eve in Melbourne - the southern capital doing what it does best, bringing people together in celebration of sporting greatness!
Sires With Winners - Thursday September 25
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Richard Johnston has bred some very good horses under his Bylong Park banner including triple Group I winner Think It Over and an Anders three year-old he bred and races was an eye-catching debut winner at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
Inglis Confirm Skybird for Everest Slot
Inglis is thrilled to confirm G1 winner Skybird (Exosphere) as our representative for the running of the $20m The Everest.
Golden Rose Colts – Sires of the Future
The $1million Group I ATC Golden Rose (1400m) this Saturday offers the winner far more than prizemoney and assuming it’s a colt he is given a golden ticket to a commercial stud career, so let’s take a look at this year’s contenders, who would you want on your stallion roster in 2026?
La Dorada Chasing Redemption at Valley
Last season’s champion NZ two-year-old La Dorada will be out to prove her ability against her Australian counterparts on Friday night when she contests the Gr.3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.
Half Yours Delivers Fee Increase for St Jean
The rise of Caulfield Cup favourite Half Yours as one of the most promising young stayers in the land has put the spotlight on his sire St Jean (IRE).
Aquis Welcome First foals for Young Gun Officiating
A fast Group winning sprinter by Breeders Cup Classic winner Blame, Officiating (USA) was carefully selected by Aquis Stallions following a global headhunting mission to secure an outcross stallion for Queensland and his first foals are arriving this spring.
Invincible Filly Snares $100,000 Inglis Bonus
The least expensive filly by champion sire I Am Invincible sold at Inglis Easter in 2024, Wear the Crown always looked to have been well bought at $260,000 by Seib/Racing / Champion Thoroughbreds and she set about repaying her purchase price at Goulburn on Thursday.
Horse Trading Stock Issues to Avoid
One of the key areas in thoroughbred taxation is accounting for trading stock and ensuring the tax closing value is properly ascertained. You’d be quite surprised of the enormous difference to the tax position of any racing player where trading stock problems occur.