Cote De Beaune Burns Them Off

The Te Akau team struck early during Wellington Cup Carnival at Trentham, when Cote de Beaune (3 g Burgundy - Lucrative, by Pyrus) won the $40,000 Fusion Electrical Rating 65 1200 metres.

Stretched over three weeks (15, 22, 29 January), the carnival showcases some of the finest races on the turf in New Zealand.

After winning four of five trials, Cote de Beaune produced a polished debut victory in a Maiden 1200 metres on 22 December at New Plymouth, and overcame an awkward barrier (10) on this occasion.

Away well and able to slide across in front with Magness (Nadeem) (barrier nine) to his inside, Cote de Beaune quickened to lead at the 400m, found a length, and was driven out by Craig Grylls to hold the late challengers at bay.

“He's a really nice type of horse; big and strong, especially for his age,” Grylls said. “He sort of tugged his way into the race and I tried to be mindful of not letting him go too early, but he found a really hard kick when he needed to.

Stripped in terrific order, rich in colour and with a gleaming coat, Cote de Beaune was extremely willing and is now two from two on race day.

On Dead4 footing, Cote de Beaune ran 1200 metres in 1:08 and as equal favourite returned $4.20 & $1.80 on NZ TAB tote.

“He was in front on his own a long way from home, so he's a horse that's got plenty of upside and I am really proud of the way he raced today,” said Richards, who bred him in conjunction with Te Akau Stud, and he is now owned by Te Akau Grand Cru Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

“He's a bit of a late bloomer, I guess, and getting better. We'll space his runs and look after him, but he toughed it out today, and if he can relax he'll get further.

“He's a horse that Karyn (Fenton-Ellis MNZM) syndicated off the trials to some really good owners that have had a quick return and a lot of fun, so good on them and we look forward to the future.”

Cote de Beaune is by five-time stakes' winning stallion Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), a three-quarter brother to Darci Brahma (Danehill), both bought as yearlings by David Ellis CNZM. His dam, Lucrative, performed consistently with three wins to 1400 metres, and he carries bloodline crosses to influential stallions Northern Dancer, Nijinsky, Bletchingly, and Nureyev.

Lucrative was trained by Paul Richards, father of Jamie, and part-owned with wife Leanne, and friends Bill and Sandra Duell. The combination also has year younger three-quarter sister Hanalei (2 f Darci Brahma - Lucrative) in the stable who, in the very next race, won the prestigious Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1100m).

Grand-dam Lucadore (Wild Rampage) won six races to 1400 metres and in addition to Lucrative, left sister Dawn Ghost (Pyrus), winner of four races including Waikato Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m).

Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM said: “I always had a lot of confidence in Burgundy and he was a sad loss to our breeding industry.

“It's a tremendous result to see Cote de Beaune win for him and he is now two from two. And to see Darci (Brahma) produce Hanalei, from the same mare, to win the very next race is just incredible.

“They both look very good horses and for them both to be so effective so early in their career speaks volumes.

“I bought both Darci Brahma and Burgundy as yearlings at Karaka, Danehill line colts, and I get a thrill every time one of their progeny wins.”

Cote de Beaune was strapped by Hunter Durrant.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz