Te Akau Taupo Track Gallops

Champion Trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, who won the seventh consecutive Premiership for the stable last season, galloped horses on 13 August at Taupo.

Ahead of their fresh-up assignments, eight horses worked in pairs, ridden by Opie Bosson and Michael McNab. 

Working over 1000 metres, System Of Play (McNab) went with No Curfew (Bosson), as did Born To Be Royal (Bosson) and Sword Of Stars (McNab).

Working over 800 metres: Avantaggia (Bosson) went with Pilates (McNab), as did Charmrose (Bosson) and Thumbelina (McNab).

Impressive winning his only start as a two-year-old, over 1200 metres in April at Te Rapa, with McNab aboard, System Of Play (3 c Ole Kirk – Statuesquely, by Medaglia d’Oro) closed solidly on the leaders when trialling on 4 August at Te Rapa, and scheduled to trial again on 25 August at Te Awamutu.

No Curfew (3 g Vanbrugh – Supreme, by Falkirk), who remained held with more to offer when trialling on 4 August at Te Rapa, is also scheduled to trial again on 25 August at Te Awamutu, prior to making his debut.

A winner over 2000 metres and dual Group Two placed, Born To Be Royal (4 m King’s Legacy – Fatal Rendezvous, by All American) sustained a good effort for fourth, given heavy footing, when trialling on 4 August at Te Rapa, and scheduled to resume in the Rating 65 1500 metres on Saturday 22 August at Te Rapa.

Placed in two of three starts as a two-year-old, Sword Of Stars (3 f Sword Of State – Angelica Hall, by Guillotine) sustained a very good gallop down the outside for close fourth when trialling on 4 August at Te Rapa, and scheduled to trial again on 25 August at Te Awamutu.

The first foal out of Te Akau bought and trained nine-time Group One winner Avantage, Avantaggia (4 m Wootton Bassett – Avantage, by Fastnet Rock) has continued to come of age as a racehorse in her own right, winning three of six starts. Before resuming, she is scheduled to trial on 25 August at Te Awamutu.

Stylishly winning both trials before a debut third last season, Pilates (4 m Savabeel – Splits, by O’Reilly) is scheduled to trial on 25 August at Te Awamutu, before resuming.

The leading earner for her sire last season, five-time winner Charmrose (6 m Charm Spirit – Sovereign Rose, by Pins) is earmarked to trial on 25 August at Te Awamutu.

Ending last season with two impressive wins, Thumbelina (4 m Per Incanto – Matauri, by Ocean Park) is scheduled to trial on 25 August at Te Awamutu, before resuming.