Australian G1 Goal for Te Akau Shark

Media Release - Tuesday June 25

The Group I Cox Plate (2040m) has been a long held ambition for connections of dual Group winner Te Akau Shark, but the Jamie Richards-trained runner is being set for another Group One target before he heads to Melbourne.

Te Akau Shark The four-year-old son of Rip Van Winkle drew gasps from the crowd when winning the Gr.2 Coupland's Bakeries Mile (1600m) by six lengths in November and the exciting galloper is being set for a big spring.

Te Akau Shark was given a lengthy spell after pulling up with a few soreness issues after his Riccarton triumph and Te Akau Principal David Ellis said his team is pleased with what they have seen since his return last month.

"We gave him a long spell through the summer and autumn," Ellis said.

"He had his first bit of three-quarter pace last Saturday morning and Jamie Richards is really happy with the way he is coming to hand.

"I think he has just matured and strengthened a little bit (since last year). I was over at the stable in Matamata on Monday and he certainly is a very happy horse and is hitting out pretty freely, which is the most important thing with him."

A large contingent of his owners hail from Sydney, including Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks captain Paul Gallen, and they will likely get a chance see their horse in action in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick in September.

"We would love to win a race like the Epsom on the way to the Cox Plate," Ellis said.

Advertisement

"It is a pretty exciting time. He is owned by a lot of the boys from the Cronulla Sharks in Sydney, so they are pretty excited that we are bringing him to Sydney first.

"I think he would be really well weighted in an Epsom Handicap. We would probably give him two runs before the Epsom and then straight from the Epsom into the Cox Plate."

Ellis believes Te Akau Shark is well suited to the month break between the two runs.

"He's a pretty clean-winded horse and doesn't seem to need a lot of work," he said. "When he won his last start he went five weeks between races, from 1400m to 1600m, and he seems to enjoy that."

Ellis purchased Te Akau Shark out of Lyndhurst Farm's 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale draft for $230,000 and he has been impressed with the gelding from the very beginning.

"He has only been beaten once and he has shown a lot from day one," Ellis said. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Jenni Lets Loose At The Valley
Smart staying mare Jennivamoose recorded her third victory at The Valley when winning the Simpson Construction Handicap (2500m) in similar fashion to her previous victory at the venue.
Sterling Express Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Sterling Express stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Autumn Glow
Resuming off the back of two solid barrier trials efforts, Chris Waller’s Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) stepped up to open company for the first time, with the $1.8m yearling purchase extending her unbeaten run to five with victory in the Group 3 ATC Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick.
Winning Return for the Best in Australia - Via Sistina
Set to be crowned Australia’s Horse of the Year for last season, the mighty Fastnet Rock mare Via Sistina (IRE) returned on a rain soaked track at Randwick on Saturday to win the $1million Group I ATC Winx Stakes (1400m).
First Black Type Victory For Nellie Leylax (IRE)
Not a bad way to break through for your first Australian victory as the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Nellie Leylax (IRE) cleared out by more than two lengths to claim the Group 3 ATC Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick.
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 23
Here is the full list of 106 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.
Carlyon Stakes To Baraqiel – Second SW For Snitzel
Successful in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) last time in, Sniztel’s 7yo son Baraqiel continued his outstanding record at the Moonee Valley circuit, resuming to win the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) first up, highlighting potential Group 1 spring aims.
New Star for Hellbent – Savvy Hallie Wins G2 Silver Shadow
Yarraman Park’s Hellbent has made his name with brilliant Group I winning mares Magic Time and Benedetta with exciting filly Savvy Hallie adding her name his list of stakes-winners with a stylish victory in the Group II ATC Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
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.