Te Akau TV - Double Dose Group 1 Racing Preview

Date: 17 Mar 2023

Te Akau TV -  Double Dose Group 1 Racing Preview

Te Akau trainer Mark Walker is back this week for a bumper edition of Te Akau TV.


Mark currently leads the Trainers' Premiership with 145 wins. He is currently 15 wins short of the all-time New Zealand record of 160 wins set by Jamie Richards in the 2020/21 season when he was Te Akau's trainer. On top of this, the team of wonderful staff and horses have accrued over $6,500,000 in prize money for owners in New Zealand alone. That in itself is a Te Akau record and we're intrigued to see where these numbers could be with some exciting racing action incoming over the next six weeks.  Remembering too, we still have four months of the season to come!


Mark provides an update on the week that's been including winners Tokyo Tycoon, It's Business Time, Sans Doute, Challa, Petrucci, Espionage and The Mighty Spar. Tokyo Tycoon of course maintained his unbeaten record in impressively taking out the Group 1 Sistema Stakes. He's the only 2YO on record to win the Karaka 2YO Million and then a Group 1 and remain unbeaten for the season.


Mark will also give us the latest news on Campionessa who joins Imperatriz in Melbourne for a crack at the Group 1 Australian Cup on Saturday week at Flemington.  Imperatriz runs in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday 24 March (night meeting).


This week, we look at our runners at Group 1 Oaks & Levin Classic Day at Trentham and talk through our charges at Tauranga. Our Group 1 hopes include Romancing the Moon and Skew Wiff in the Group 1 Gee and Hickton Funeral Directors Levin Classic. Te Akau delivered a huge result in this race last year with stablemates Imperatriz, On the Bubbles, I Wish I Win and Mohawk Brave making up the First Four. Family Ties and Mehzebeen compete for Group 1 honours as they attempt to emulate Belle En Rouge's massive performance last year in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks.


Fierce Flight takes his place in the Listed Barneswood Farm New Zealand St Leger, as Aromatic searches for more black type in the Group 3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes, while Burgundy Rose meets a competitive field in the Listed Jennian Homes Wellington Lightning Handicap.


Mark then shares his best bet for the weekend.


Good luck to our all runners and connections - go the tangerine!

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