Excitement Machine Dominates Hastings Sprint

Media Release - Saturday October 6

Hastings racegoers got to witness something special on Saturday when exciting Rip Van Winkle (IRE) four-year-old Te Akau Shark scorched to victory in the Group III  Red Badge Sprint (1400m) at Hastings.

Te Akau Shark - Trish DunnellTouted as a star of the future following an impressive first-up win on the first day of the Hawkes Bay carnival, the gelding displayed electrifying acceleration as he blasted past his rivals in the home straight after making the final corner near the rear of the twelve-horse field.

Rider Michael Coleman was no more than a passenger as the powerful chestnut put three lengths on highly regarded mare Love Affair, who held second comfortably from former Singapore galloper Magnum who battled on gamely for third.

"I never had to touch him behind the saddle," Coleman said after the race.

"I gave him every chance when I came to the outside with the light weight and once I got there he was always going to win.

"He's pretty electric and a pretty special horse, the world could be his oyster."

Trainer Jamie Richards was sporting a wide grin as he spoke about the performance.

Advertisement

"He's going well and I couldn't be more impressed," he said.

"I was a bit worried when Mick was checking him off heels at the 700m but it didn't matter as he's a very progressive horse.

"His work has been very good and the five weeks between runs suited him.

"We'll go home and have a think now but there are plenty of options for him both here and across the ditch."

Raced by an enthusiastic group of owners, many who were on-course wearing their special "shark" hats, Te Akau Shark has now won four of his five races and over $100,000 in prizemoney after being secured by Te Akau boss David Ellis for $230,000 from the Lyndhurst Farm draft at the 2016 Ready To Run Sale at Karaka. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Lonhro Blueblood Colt Wins Listed Dulcify
At the start of August we ran a story about the 3YO’s that were entered for this year Cox Plate and aside from the usual suspects there were some ‘Cox Plate’ dreamers and one of them was unraced Lonhro colt Attica, who scored his first stakes win at Randwick on Saturday when taking out the Listed ATC Dulcify Stakes (1600m).
New SW for Rip Van Winkle
On a day where she tasted Group One success with Gaultier in the Levin Classic (1600m) in 2017, Matamata trainer Danica Guy was at it again when she produced Germanicus to take out Group III  Bluestar Anniversary Handicap (1600m).
So You Think Filly Wins G2 Edward Manifold
Danny O’Brien believes he has the Group I VRC Oaks in his sights with So You Think filly Getta Good Feeling breaking her maiden in the best way possible with a last stride win in the Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
$1million Stay Inside Colt Wins G3 Breeders Plate
Newgate Farm’s Golden Slipper winning sire Stay Inside got the perfect result with his first runner as $1million Magic Millions purchase Incognito scored a determined win in the Group III ATC Breeders Plate (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday in the James Harron Bloodstock colours.
Captivant Colt Shines at Warwick Farm Trials
Captivant’s burgeoning reputation for producing precocious 2YOs took another leap forward at today’s Warwick Farm trials, with Courthezon powering to victory in Heat 10.
Te Akau Shark Ready for Aussie Debut
Exciting New Zealand galloper Te Akau Shark will kick-off his spring campaign in Australia on Saturday where he will contest the Group II Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in front of some of his local owners, including Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Captain Paul Gallen.
Inglis and Yulong Confirm Magic Time for Everest Slot
Inglis will partner with worldwide racing and breeding powerhouse Yulong for the running of the 2025 The Everest, with the combination to be represented by Magic Time in the $20m contest.
Miraval Rose Impresses With G2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes Win
Already a Listed winner at 3 and 4, Grahame Begg’s Grunt mare Miraval Rose added her third black type victory to her record, winning the $300,000 Group 2 VRC Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) in style at Flemington on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Friday October 3
Here is the full list of 61 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Maiden Wins G2 Eight Carat
The tag of New Zealand’s best maiden was emphatically stripped from the shoulders of exciting three-year-old Jennifer Eccles when she stormed past her female age group rivals to take out the Group II SKYCITY Eight Carat Classic (1600m) in the hands of visiting rider James McDonald.