Te Akau Duo Chases An Eighth 2000 Guineas’ Crown

Seven winners, unforgettable performances and more than two decades of history make the New Zealand 2000 Guineas a special race for Te Akau. This Saturday, Sword Of Stars and Zafar have their opportunity to add to that record as New Zealand Cup Week reaches its finale at Riccarton.

The $700,000 Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas over 1600 metres headlines an important afternoon for Mark Walker, Sam Bergerson and our Riccarton team, led by Hunter Durrant - with runners also contesting the Group 3 New Zealand Cup and Listed Stewards’ Stakes.

Our association with the Guineas began with King’s Chapel in 2003. Darci Brahma followed in 2005, Tell A Tale in 2008 and Rock ’N’ Pop in 2011, before Xtravagant in 2015, Embellish in 2017 and Noverre in 2021 took the tally to seven. Six of those seven went on to stand at stud - the exception being the gelding Tell A Tale! Each victory holds its own memories for the owners and people who helped prepare those horses for their biggest day.

Xtravagant’s eight-and-a-half-length demolition remains one of the standout performances in the race. His acceleration down the Riccarton straight in 2015 delivered a Guineas victory that those watching will never forget.

Noverre provided a different kind of excitement six years later. Overcoming a wide draw and traffic under Opie Bosson, the Savabeel colt produced a powerful finish to become our seventh winner. Like all seven of Te Akau’s 2000 Guineas winners, he was selected and purchased by Sir David Ellis.

Alongside seven victories in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas, that makes 14 wins across the two classics. It is a record we are proud of, and one that makes the return to Riccarton each November particularly meaningful.

There have been more winning moments to enjoy in the lead-up to Saturday. Sibling Rivalry returned to winning form at Te Rapa last weekend, with apprentice Hayley Hassman timing her challenge perfectly to claim the Rating 65 over 1200 metres. Hayley followed that partnering Power Of Pleasure to a winning debut at Tauherenikau on Sunday with the Wootton Bassett filly finishing strongly over 1000 metres. Congratulations to their Te Akau No Love Lost and Te Akau Pleasure To Behold Racing Partnership owners.

Paper Moon then gave our southern team a deserved Cup Week success on Wednesday, winning the $65,000 Wuhan Jockey Club Premier Rating 65 1000m at Riccarton. Michael McNab waited for a gap behind the leaders before the Savabeel mare accelerated through to score for her Te Akau I Kan Win Racing Partnership ownership family.

It was especially pleasing after eight placings on the opening day of the carnival, five runners up in a row! Mark acknowledged the work Hunter has put into Paper Moon, including riding much of her trackwork, and Wednesday’s result was a welcome reward for that patience.

Now Sword Of Stars arrives at her Guineas’ assignment with consecutive wins behind her. The daughter of our former Champion Two-Year-Old Sword Of State followed her Timaru maiden success with an impressive victory in the Group 3 War Decree Stakes at Riccarton.

Purchased by Sir David for $350,000 from Windsor Park Stud at Karaka, she races for the Te Akau Stately Hall Racing Partnership. Her Spring campaign has taken her from a Canterbury Belle Stakes’ placing to Group 3 success, and Saturday brings her first opportunity at Group 1 level.

Stablemate Zafar also knows what it takes to win a stakes’ race at Riccarton. The Snitzel colt won the Listed Champagne Stakes on debut as a two-year-old for his Fortuna Racing owners, and now returns for the classic challenge.

Michael McNab partners Sword Of Stars from barrier nine, while Masahiro Hashizume rides Zafar from barrier five.

There is plenty more to follow throughout the afternoon. Charmrose and Trobriand tackle the Listed Lindauer Stewards Stakes over 1200 metres, with Michael aboard Charmrose and Lily Sutherland riding Trobriand.

Court Of Appeal takes on the staying test in the Group 3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup over 3200 metres, also with Michael engaged. One True King, Marokopa Falls, Arctic Jewel, Dream Of The Moon and Legally Binding complete our Riccarton entries, with One True King racing over 2000 metres.

A special thank you to Assistant Trainer Hunter Durrant and everyone at our permanent Riccarton stable. Cup Week brings three major racedays alongside the everyday work of caring for and preparing the horses. The early starts, attention to each horse and effort behind the scenes are appreciated by our owners and the wider Te Akau team.

To everyone joining us at Riccarton, we look forward to sharing the day with you. To our owners following from home, we know you will be cheering just as loudly.

Seven names are already on our 2000 Guineas honour roll. On Saturday, Sword Of Stars and Zafar race for the chance to become the eighth.

Best of luck to all our runners and their connections!