Te Akau Hoping for Hometown Cup Win

Media Release - Thursday December 19

Te Akau Racing, the country’s leading stable, has captured some of the biggest prizes in New Zealand racing this year, and trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are keen to add their home cup, the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m), to their trophy cabinet on Friday.

“You would love to win your hometown Cup,” Bergerson said.

The stable will have a two-pronged attack in Friday’s feature, including recent New Zealand stable addition Midnight Blue and in-form mare My Lips are Sealed.

Midnight Blue won the Seymour Cup in Victoria for Te Akau - image Racing Photos

Midnight Blue has had just the one run since his arrival to Te Akau’s Matamata base, a fourth placing in the Gr.3 Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m), and his trainers are expecting an improved showing second-up.

“Midnight Blue has travelled over from Australia in fantastic order,” Bergerson said. “I thought his run at Ellerslie, his first time out in New Zealand, was very good. On the corner he looked the winner, he just wobbled a bit late.

“As an eight-year-old, it was his first race or trial right-handed. So back left-handed at Matamata, on his home track, we are confident he will give a really good sight.

“He has got a positive racing pattern, so he will be in the first three or four hopefully and from that barrier (10) we will look to be positive. He seems in really good form and is enjoying the New Zealand lifestyle. He is out in a paddock every day and he seems to be really thriving around the stable.”

Advertisement

Te Akau principal David Ellis purchased the son of So You Think as a tried horse from Inglis Digital in November last year for A$92,500, having already won five races, including the Gr.2 Perth Cup (2400m) and Listed Ascot Gold Cup Stakes (1800m). He has gone on to add a further two victories to his record since joining Te Akau, including the Listed Seymour Cup (1600m), and has accrued more than $226,000 in prizemoney in that time.

Te Akau will also be represented in their local cup by My Lips Are Sealed, who has been in good form this preparation, winning two and placing in two of her five starts before being freshened, and she pleased with her 1100m trial at Pukekohe earlier this month.

“My Lips Are Sealed had a really good spring,” Bergerson said. “We tried to get her to the Wanganui Cup (Listed, 2040m), but she had a bit of a foot niggle, so we had to back off and gave her a quiet trial in-between times. A mile on her home track with a very nice, light weight (53kg) with a soft draw (2) (is ideal), and she is in good form.

“They are two nice eachway chances. You need a bit of luck in those bigger races, but we are really happy with our two,” Bergerson said.

Midnight Blue is a $5.50 second favourite for the Matamata Cup, with the Andrew Forsman-trained Mary Shan at the top of the market at $2.20, while My Lips Are Sealed is rated a $10 winning chance by TAB bookmakers. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Midnight Blue Makes it Ten Perth Cups for Bob and Sandra Peters
The Peters Investments and Grant and Alana Williams show rolled on without Willie Pike in the Group II Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on New Year's Day.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
So You Thinks Midnight Blue Triumphs in Seymour Cup
Midnight Blue was purchased by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis for $92,500 when offered by Bob Peters through Inglis Digital after finishing fifth in the 2023 Seymour Cup. Twelve months on Midnight Blue captured Sunday’s $200,000 Listed Bet 365 Seymour Cup (1600m).
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.