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...
Westbury Stud Announce 2025 Fees
Westbury Stud is pleased to announce the 2025 service fees for its high performing stallion roster, providing breeders with an accessible source of proven bloodlines at excellent value.
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.
Sires With Winners - Monday May 5
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
100th National Yearling Sale to Debut New Format
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Yearling Sales in New Zealand, a significant milestone to celebrate.
First Season Highlights – These Guys Made an Impression
The Inglis Australian Weanling Sale gave buyers the opportunity to have a first look at the progeny of a new crop of  first season sires and the big banger of the group duly produced the highest priced baby from this cohort of sires.
One to Watch – Kembla
Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner Nepotism is not the only talented two year-old winner by Brutal this season that was bred and sold by Gilgai Farm.
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets New Record at Inglis Weanling Sale
A new record price for the Australian Weanling Sale was set at Riverside today when a Stay Inside x Sheidel filly offered by Noorilim Park sold for $650,000.
One to Watch – Curragh
He’s a Coolmore homebred blueblood, but sired by Darley’s champion stallion Dubawi and Officer opened his stakes account overnight at The Curragh winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1m).
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 6
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Records Tumble at Huge Australian Weanling Sale
The most successful Inglis Australian Weanling Sale in history concluded at Riverside today with a record individual top price of $775,000 paid for a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB), a record gross and record average.