Te Akau Stars on Display at Hastings

Media Release - Sunday September 2

Champion two-year-old Avantage and stakes winner Chance to Dance took the opportunity of an exhibition gallop between races at Hastings on Saturday, a day that saw the powerful Te Akau Racing team produce a notable winning double.

Avantage - Trish DunnellTrainer Jamie Richards saddled his first Group One winner since taking sole charge of the Matamata operation when Melody Belle took out the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) while Te Akau Shark scored a scintillating fresh-up victory over 1200 metres.

Galloping 1000 metres in 1:02.5, with the last 600m in 34.5, Avantage travelled well within herself on the rail, with Chance to Dance to her outside as the pair finished locked together at the completion of an eye-catching workout.

"It was nice to get Avantage on a good track, with a day away at the races and some sunshine to bring her coat on," said Richards

"I like the way she was cocking her ears and having a bit of a look around like she used to do last season and I think she's where she needs to be."

Richards was also pleased with the work of Chance To Dance who showed his class last season with a pair of black-type victories.

"Chance to Dance is coming up really well," Richards said. "He's looks terrific, as sound as he's been.

"He's had a trial and a gallop, and we might even give him another gallop somewhere just to have him hard and fit for a mile first up."

Advertisement

Although plans are yet to be finalised Avantage could resume in the Gr.3 Hawke's Bay Breeders Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) on 22 September at Hastings, while Chance to Dance may contest the Listed Haunui Farm Karaka Classic (1600m) on 23 September at Pukekohe, a race he won fresh-up last year carrying 60kgs.

Richards also reported his Hastings winners have pulled up well after their exertions.

"They're good and I'm happy with them," he said. "Obviously, a little bit of feed left in the bin, but we're pleased with how they trotted up this morning.

"We're very lucky to have that mare (Melody Belle). She's very special and has been very good for my career, so I can't thank her enough.

"And I think he's top drawer, Te Akau Shark. He's a Group One horse if we can keep him sound. We'll space his races. He's still immature, still a bit soft, even next year, but he'll be the sort of horse to have only half a dozen runs this season, and he could be the type to win a Foxbridge Plate and the Tarzino next year." - NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
She's Unusual Keeps Good Times Rolling
Continued success with resident stallion Unusual Suspect and their racing team has kept Nigel and Adaire Auret busier than they may have envisaged, but without any complaints.
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Goffs Orby Day 2 - Trio of Million Dollar Yearling Fillies
The second day of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale took off overnight with three individual yearlings selling for a million or more with the full sister to dual Group I winning champion 2YO Colt Blackbeard selling for €1.9 million to MV Magnier.
2025 G1 Epsom Handicap Field and Barrier Draw
The field and barrier draw has been decided for the Group I Epsom Handicap on Saturday with odds-on favourite and unbeaten mare Autumn Glow drawing the extreme outside gate in a field of 14.
2025 G1 The Metropolitan Field and Barrier Draw
Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher are set to have half of the Group I Metropolitan field between them with the Waller trained Birdman an easing favourite after drawing a wide gate for Saturday’s race.
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.
Youngsters Impress Leading into Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale
The build up to the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale has intensified with a swag of impressive breeze up performances over the past week.