$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau

Media Release - Friday November 22

Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.

The Te Akau trainers will have five contenders in the main events on the card with Snitzel colts To Bravery Born and Return To Conquer first cabs off the rank in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m).

To Bravery Born is already a winner - Race Images.

The former has already given a taste of his talent with a debut victory to his credit while Return To Conquer has displayed rich potential with an unbeaten trial record.

“To Bravery Born has got the race day experience and he was very good at Wanganui and we gave him a short break after that,” Bergerson said.

“He has come back in really good order and has had a quiet trial, he is very professional and knows what it’s all about. He has certainly gone the right way since that win.”

To Bravery Born will be partnered from the inside gate by Michael McNab while his stablemate will be alongside in barrier two with Wiremu Pinn in the saddle.

“Return To Conquer has been impressive at the trials and we’ve always thought a lot of him,” Bergerson said.

“To go first-up in a stakes race is a bit of a gamble, but he is more than capable and certainly on his work we think he will be a really strong winning chance.

“They are hard to split because they have had different preparations, but off the trackwork you would probably lean to Return To Conquer, we think he is pretty sharp.”

$1.3m Snitzel colt from Vaujany will make his debut on Saturday as Return to Conquer.

Return to Conquer was bought by David Ellis from Magic Millions in January for $1.3million. Offered by Blue Gum Farm, the colt is the second and final foal from blueblood unraced Lonhro mare Vaujany, who died earlier this year. She was a full sister to Group II winner Ghisoni from Group II winner Portillo, who is also the grand-dam of Group III winner LArkspur run and stakes-winner Renosu.   

Te Akau will also be double handed in the Gr.3 TAB Counties Cup (2100m) with Cognito and Qali Al Farrasha to go head-to-head.

“We think they are both nice each way chances, but unfortunately they have both drawn out so they will probably go back,” Bergerson said.

“Cognito has the runs on the board this prep to get him up in trip, which he’s always wanted.

Advertisement

“He has been hitting the line strongly and the step up to 2100m will suit and he’s performed well at Pukekohe before, he just needs a bit of luck from the barrier.”

The son of So You Think has placed in his last two starts over a mile while Qali Al Farrasha successfully resumed over 1400m and then finished runner-up over 1600m.

“Her first two runs in have been good and we’ve had to jump her up quickly whereas Cognito has a few more miles in his legs, but in saying that she is very talented.”

Top quality mare Campionessa will attempt to defend her title in the Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), having been freshened since her last-start fourth in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m).

“Her trackwork has been really good and we took her to Te Aroha last week for an exhibition gallop just to keep her ticking over,” Bergerson said.

“We’re excited to see her back at the races and she’s got a nice barrier (four) so she should be able to position in behind the speed or forward of midfield.

“She gets in well under the conditions and we think class will take her a long way, whether the 1400m is too sharp we’ll see and La Crique looks the obvious one to beat on paper.”

The stable is also well-represented at Wanganui where Bergerson believed Discretion Rules and Quintefeuille in the Function Centre 3YO (1200m) give them their best chance of success.

“They are probably our best two and again, hard to split with their trial form but we lean toward Discretion Rules,” he said.

“He’s experienced and was obviously a stakes winner down south.”

The son of Alabama Express hasn’t raced since he claimed last season’s Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton and, like Quintefeuille, has had three trials to fit him for his return. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 27
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Odinson tops May (Late) Sale at $160,000
The Listed Inglis Nursery winner Odinson topped today’s May (Late) Online Sale, selling to Pure Bloodstock for $160,000.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday May 28
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Blue Gum Farm Announce 2025 Fees
Leading Victorian stud, Blue Gum Farm, is pleased to announce its 2025 stallion roster and service fees, headlined by exciting young sire Sejardan, who will stand at an unchanged fee of $13,750.
The Boss Lady Bounces Back in G3 Belmont Sprint
Tough Street Boss (USA) mare The Boss Lady lived up to her name with a hard fought win in the G3 Belmont Sprint yesterday.
Miss Enfield in Foal to Wootton Bassett Sells for $1.25million
Wootton Bassett (GB) has had a hefty fee increase for his return to Coolmore Australia this spring in the wake of overwhelming worldwide success on the track, so blueblood Miss Enfield was an attractive package in foal to him in her first season at stud.
2025 Stud and Stable Staff Awards Winners Announced
The 11th annual Stud and Stable Staff Awards celebrated the winners of seven categories at The QT Hotel on the Gold Coast on Monday, 26 May. The ceremony, hosted by Ally Mosley and James Tzaferis, honoured the exceptional contributions of staff across the Australian thoroughbred industry, with winners representing five states highlighting the national breadth of talent within the industry.
Stellar Pauline Sells for $1.15million
Widden Stud might be the home of Zoustar, but Antony Thompson has plenty of respect for reigning champion sire I Am Invincible and secured Stellar Pauline in foal to him for $1.15million at MM National on Wednesday.
Yulong Top Buyers List as MM National Mares Concludes
The beautifully related Group performer Call Di has topped the second and final day of the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast selling for $2.1million.
US Group I Winner for Zoustar
On a day when Widden Stud’s Zoustar produced the $5.25million top seller Zougotcha at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale he also sired a new Group I winner in North America where King of Gosford won the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile (1m) at Santa Anita.