$1.65million NZB Ready to Run Sale-Topper Ready for Debut

Media Release - Tuesday March 11

There’s plenty of anticipation ahead of regally-bred colt Hostility’s raceday debut at Matamata on Wednesday.

Purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis out of Kiltannon Stables’ New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale draft for $1.65 million last November, there has been much fanfare surrounding the sale topper over the last few months.

Record-breaking colt Hostility will make his debut at Matamata on Wednesday.   Photo: Trish Dunell

By I Am Invincible, and out of Group One-winning mare Shillelagh, Hostility has won both of his trials to date and trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are looking forward to stepping him out for the first time on raceday at their home track’s mid-week meeting.

“He has been faultless here at home, touch wood it can continue on Wednesday,” Bergerson said. “He has got a fantastic temperament, he is a very laidback customer, and his trials have been super.

“It looks like he has got a fantastic turn of foot. He has just got to go out there and put it all together on raceday now, but Gryllsy (Craig Grylls, jockey) knows him well. From barrier seven, we will just see how he jumps, but we are really excited to see him finally step out.”

A Group One tilt is in the offing if Hostility performs up to expectations.

“If he was to run well, we could potentially have a look at the Manawatu Sires’ (Gr.1, 1400m) with him,” Bergerson said.

The stable is also looking forward to seeing the raceday return of stakes performed mare Sense Of Timing, who hasn’t been sighted on raceday for nearly a year.

She will make her return in Wednesday’s Blue Pacific Minerals 1200 where she will jump from barrier 11 and will get the aid of apprentice jockey Triston Moodley’s four-kilogram claim.

Advertisement

“Unfortunately for her, she has just had a few setbacks and then went all the way down to Otaki and they cancelled the meeting,” Bergerson said.

“She hasn’t had a lot of luck over the last 12 months, but I am excited to see her back on her home track.

“We have elected to keep her in the (rating) 65 and claim. I thought her trials were good, so we are looking forward to finally getting her back to the races.”

Looking ahead to the weekend, Te Akau will have a two-pronged attack in Saturday’s Gr.2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga courtesy of Wild Night and What You Wish For.

“Wild Night is back from Australia, so we are excited to see him back in New Zealand,” Bergerson said. “It hasn’t gone to plan over there, he was probably stiff not to win the Cranbourne Cup (Listed, 1600m) first-up and just hasn’t had a lot of luck and was disappointing there last time (last in the Listed The Elms Handicap, 1400m).

“Back to New Zealand, he seems happy and well here at home. He won at Tauranga before heading over to Aussie, so we are looking forward to him.

“What You Wish For is in good form. We have freshened him up from the Kaimai Stakes (Listed, 2000m) and if he were to run well, he could potentially head to the Awapuni Gold Cup (Gr.2, 2100m).

“We think they are two nice chances.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
$1.65million Record-breaking I Am Invincible Colt Trials in Style for Te Akau
Last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale topper Hostility made a pleasing start to his career for Te Akau Racing on Tuesday when winning his 800m trial at Ellerslie.
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.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
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.
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.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.