Classy Debut Winner for Embellish

Media Release - Sunday October 20

Te Akau Racing’s winning form in the Central Districts continued at Waverley on Sunday, with promising three-year-old Class claiming his maiden on debut in the Summit Electrical (1400m).

The son of Embellish had made six appearances at the trials since mid-February this year and that experience was evident from the jump, gliding to the lead under Lily Sutherland and setting up a solid tempo. Fellow debutant Movin Out joined the gelding at the 600m but Class gained a break turning for home, showing a slick turn-of-foot to score easing down by 3 – ¼ lengths to Only The Lonely.

Class powered away from his rivals to win the Summit Electrical (1400m) at Waverley.   Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Mark Walker, who trains Class in partnership with Sam Bergerson, anticipates the son of Embellish will only continue to improve as the distances rise.

“It was a lovely positive ride by Lily and he’ll only get better as we step him up over more distance,” Walker said.

“He was bred out at the farm, so he’s had plenty of time to develop and it’s always great to see the horses bred at Te Akau Stud as weanlings, then yearlings, and train on to win the way he did.

“He may become the type once we get him up in trip, and with further maturity, that he could have a nice staying future.”

Te Akau’s racing manager Reece Trumper added that Class will continue south from Waverley to the stable’s barn at Riccarton Park, with an intention to target the South Island Guineas’ races through the season.

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Class is a homebred galloper, with the Te Akau Opulent Syndicate breeding him alongside Glenn and Cathie Holmes.

Te Akau principal David Ellis initially purchased the four-win dam, Opulent, as a yearling in 2013, and she has gone on to produce four individual winners including Luxuriant, Plenty O’ Style and the Australian-based Called To Account.

“It’s always especially exciting for Karyn and I, and the Te Akau owners that breed horses like this, to see them win,” Ellis said.

“Opulent is from one of the best families in the studbook and a beautiful filly with plenty of strength and great balance when we bought her as a yearling at Karaka.

“She was a smart filly that worked effortlessly and looked the part when trialling as a two-year-old, and while she may not have reached the heights we hoped for, she has become a great mother and bred talented horses.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

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Race Result - Summit Electrical Mdn 1400m

Waverley Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:24.22
1
Class
- 3g Embellish (NZ) x Opulent (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: L Sutherland 56.5
2
3.3
Only The Lonely
- 3f Tivaci (AUS) x On Your Own (NZ) (Sacred Falls (NZ))
Tnr: B E Newman Rdr: K L Chung 53.5
3
4.1
Movin Out
- 3f Staphanos (JPN) x Wahaha (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: W J Thurlow Rdr: N S Parmar 54.5
NZB Karaka Book 2 $24,000
Seller: Anistay Lodge
Buyer: Mr GD Thurlow
4
6.1
A Sensible Prince
- 3g American Pharoah (USA) x Sensible Princess (NZ) (Street Sense (USA))
Tnr: F J Auret Rdr: M Singh 57.5
5
6.2
Felucca
- 3f Time Test (GB) x Push The Boat Out (AUS) (Henrythenavigator (USA))
Tnr: Peter Didham Rdr: Toni Davies 52.5
6
6.4
You Bid You Buy
- 3g Rubick (AUS) x Biddable (NZ) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: K A Pertab Rdr: K A Myers 57.5
7
8.7
Palmarow
- 3f Derryn (AUS) x Catwomandu (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: T R Hina Rdr: K R Hercock 55.5
8
10
Dubai's Potiki
- 3f Ocean Park (NZ) x Dubai Belle (NZ) (E Dubai (USA))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: Harry Grace 57.5
9
10.2
Animus
- 3g El Roca (AUS) x Lupara (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Maxim & Samantha Van Lierde Rdr: Rihaan Goyaram 54.5
10
18
La Kwik
- 3f Ardrossan (AUS) x La Quinta (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: Robbie Patterson Rdr: C J Grylls 55.5
11
24.3
Skippers Canyon
- 3g Belardo (IRE) x Goldsumware (NZ) (Refuse To Bend (IRE))
Tnr: J V Wallace Rdr: J K Riddell 57.5
12
27.3
Madame Sail
- 3f Savile Row (NZ) x Rowena Dancer (IRE) (Peintre Celebre (USA))
Tnr: Ms P M Mason Rdr: C R Barnes 55.5
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