Hellbent's Marokopa Falls shines on debut

Breednet - Sunday December 8

Te Akau Racing and Fortuna Racing have a remarkable association with two-year-old fillies and they unveiled another exciting prospect at Trentham on Saturday in the form of Marokopa Falls.

Marokopa Falls winning at Trentham on Saturday.  Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

The daughter of Hellbent was not fully tested in her sole trial appearance at Taupo on November 26, and in a compact four-horse juvenile field on debut, she closed a $3.50 second-favourite behind race-winner Too Sweet ($1.80).

Each of the quartet jumped positively and with plenty of early speed, Too Sweet found the rail and the lead as they descended down the TAB chute. Marokopa Falls shadowed the filly throughout and got on even terms as they straightened, and after breaking away from Abbakiss and Ferrari, the pair set to fight out the finish with Marokopa Falls finding an extra kick under Craig Grylls to score by a half-length at the post.

Grylls, who currently leads the national jockey’s premiership narrowly over Sam Spratt, was complimentary of the filly’s first-up effort.

“She was well prepared for today,” he said. “She hopped away nice to sit outside the leader, was little bit green coming across the junction, as they quite often can be, but once balanced she let down really nicely.

“She was very professional, a nice mover, and for her first go after only one trial it was pretty impressive.”

Mark Walker, who prepares the Te Akau contingent alongside Sam Bergerson, indicated Marokopa Falls would return to Trentham at short notice, with the Gr.2 Happy Hire Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) her next assignment.

“She has a lot of natural ability and will take further improvement from the trip away and the win,” Walker said.

Advertisement

“Her next start will be in the Group Two Wakefield Stakes and it would be great to get some black type at just her second start.”

The stable won last year’s edition of the Wakefield with subsequent Group One-winning filly Captured By Love, who like Marokopa Falls, was purchased out of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The latter was secured by David Ellis and Fortuna Racing’s John Galvin for $57,500, the exact figure the pair outlaid to buy their 14-time Group One winner Melody Belle.

In the early stages of her illustrious career, Melody Belle won the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), a race Marokopa Falls is ineligible for as an Australian-bought filly.

Galvin was on course to witness the victory, alongside several members of the Fortuna Marokopa Falls Syndicate.

“It was a lovely win from a lovely filly that the team obviously have a lot of time for,” Galvin said.

“It’s not usual for us to send a two-year-old to the races off the back of one trial, so going there today gave us an indication of what the trainers think of her. She was very professional and relaxed in the birdcage and she showed those same attributes during the race.

“She was bought for the same price as Melody Belle, so if she could be half as good as her then we’d have to be very happy, wouldn’t we?.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Devan Plastics 2yo 1000m

Trentham Track: Good(3) Time: 0:56.16
1
Marokopa Falls
- 2f Hellbent (AUS) x Beside You (AUS) (Ready's Image (USA))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: C J Grylls 55
MM Gold Coast National Yearling Sale $0
Seller: Attunga Stud, Scone, NSW (As Agent)
Buyer:
2
0.5
Too Sweet
- 2f Satono Aladdin (JPN) x Sparkling Rose (NZ) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: R J Bergerson Rdr: L Currie 56
NZB Karaka Book 2 $0
Seller: Brighthill Farm
Buyer:
3
4.5
Abbakiss
- 2f Microphone (AUS) x Arabian Gift (IRE) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: B E Newman Rdr: M J Mc Nab 56
4
10.5
My Ferrari
- 2c Time Test (GB) x O'dahlia (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: G D Innes Rdr: Joe Doyle 57
More Reading...
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 4
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.