Te Akau's Proud Karaka Million History

On Saturday evening at Pukekohe, Te Akau will attempt to win its seventh consecutive $1m Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m).

The race was shared around after Vincent Mangano (No Excuse Needed) came from well back to win the inaugural event in 2008, but since 2017 Te Akau has had a stranglehold.

Subsequent dual Horse of the Year and national record-holder for Group One wins (14) Melody Belle (Commands) scored in 2017; eventual nine-time Group One winner Avantage (Fastnet Rock) won in 2018 - both named Champion Two-Year-Old. Quadruple Australian Group One winner and reigning and dual Horse of the Year Probabeel (Savabeel) won in 2019; another Champion Two-Year-Old, Cool Aza Beel (Savabeel), 2020; consequent Group One winner On the Bubbles (Brazen Beau) brought the house down in 2021, and Dynastic (Almanzor) let down to score impressively last year.

All six were purchased as yearlings by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM at Karaka, from which eligibility is acquired through registration, and prize money determines who makes the field (Order of Entry).  This year 10 of the top 20 in the Order of Entry were Ellis purchases, trained by Te Akau.

Brief reflection of action:

 

2017: From barrier three, with blinkers on, Melody Belle was out fast before steadying for cover in fourth passing the 900m and once clear she pounced on the leaders 250m out, quickly asserted a two-length advantage and never looked like being beaten. It was a terrific ride by Opie Bosson and even better effort by the filly, who really did win well.

 

 

2018: Avantage was race favourite for the big dance and proved too good. Catching the start beautifully to situate fourth for Opie Bosson, Avantage was clear to challenge on straightening, wound into her work and charged home to score. Stable-mate Al Hasa (Exceed and Excel) finished second.

 

 

2019: She absolutely killed them, Probabeel. Take nothing away from stable-mates Melody Belle and Avantage, who won the two previous editions, but Probabeel could have surpassed them in completing a hat-trick. Flawless in her preliminary, the superiority of Probabeel, after drawing the outside gate (14), to leave her rivals cold with a devastating finish was something to behold - winning by two and three-quarter lengths under Opie Bosson. Stable-mates Aotea Lad (Savabeel) finished second and Yourdeel (Dundeel) third.

 

 

2020: Timing is everything and trainer Jamie Richards got it dead-right when winning his fourth consecutive $1m Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m) with Cool Aza Beel. Away well before steadying to fourth, he ranged three wide rounding the home turn, sprinted to lead 300m and was far too strong when getting clear. Victory gave Opie Bosson a place history and emulated NZ jockey Shane Dye who famously rode four consecutive Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) winners: 1989 - 92.

 

 

2021: With success comes expectation and Te Akau Racing duly delivered again when On the Bubbles became their fifth winner. Rider Johnathan Parkes negated a wide draw (14) to slot in fourth at the 800m, had On the Bubbles ready approaching the home turn and after reaching the lead a furlong out he drew clear to win by one and three-quarter lengths. Stable-mates Sneaky Shark (Capitalist) finished second, Avonallo (Belardo) third, and Sophisticardo (Burgundy) fourth.

 

 

2022: It was yet another cracker from Bosson, winning his fifth Karaka Million 2YO aboard Dynastic, following Melody Belle (Commands), Avantage (Fastnet Rock), Probabeel (Savabeel), and Cool Aza Beel (Savabeel). Never overawed by occasion, Bosson was midfield inner before extracting Dynastic on straightening at the 400m and the imposing colt let down impressively, while providing the first Southern Hemisphere victory for Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor (Wootton Bassett). Stable-mates Fellini (Belardo) finished third and Time Flies (Time Test) was fourth.

 

 

This year is no different, as Te Akau prepares seven the for $1m Doubletree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m). In Order of Entry:

 

Trobriand (2 c Kermadec - Arboreal, by Lonhro) heads the list after winning all three starts; most recently in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 1 January at Te Rapa. Owned by Te Akau Island Paradise Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Trobriand was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM for $260,000 in January at the Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud. Fixed odds: $5.00. Barrier 6 - rider: Opie Bosson

Also unbeaten in two starts, Tokyo Tycoon (2 g Satono Aladdin - All about The Coin, by Starcraft) was a course/distance winner in the 2YO 1100 metres on Boxing Day at Pukekohe. Owned by Meadowbank Masters Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) & Te Akau Satono Samurai Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Tokyo Tycoon was purchased by David Ellis CNZM in January at the Karaka Book 1 Sale, paying $125,000, from the draft of Rich Hill Stud.  Fixed odds: $3.80. Barrier 14 - rider: Craig Zackey

Believe In Magic (2 f Not A Single Doubt - Perform A Miracle, by More Than Ready) was a defiant second-up winner, finished second to race rival Impendabelle (Impending), and most recently course/distance second to race rival Dapper (Shooting To Win). Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM bought Believe In Magic for $200,000 in March at Karaka, from the draft of Westbury Stud, and she is owned by Te Akau Absolutely No Doubt Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Fixed odds: $21.00. Barrier 9 - rider: Vinnie Colgan

Dual winner Rhetorical (2 f Snitzel - Xpression, by Showcasing) finished close third for a Te Akau trifecta in the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) during Cup Week at Riccarton, and resumed with sixth to stable-mate Tokyo Tycoon (above) on Boxing Day at Pukekohe. Owned by Te Akau Xpression Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Rhetorical was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM for $270,000 at the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm. Fixed odds: $41.00. Barrier 8 - rider: Sam Spratt

Talisker (2 g Embellish - Glenkinchie, by Redoute's Choice) finished powerfully from the rear for second to stable-mate Trobriand (above) in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 1 January at Te Rapa. Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $70,000 at the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Landsdowne Park, he is owned by Te Akau Classic Edition Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Fixed odds: $7.00. Barrier 7 - rider: Sam Weatherley

Runner-up to race rival Ethereal Star (Snitzel) in the Challenge Stakes (Listed, 1100m) on 19 November at Pukekohe, Balance Of Power (2 c Almanzor - Respin, by Power) resumed with a notable fifth to stable-mate Trobriand (above) in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 1 January at Te Rapa. Owned by J O Anderson, Brendan Lindsay MNZM & Mrs J E A Lindsay, DJ Bloodstock Partnership, M K Durling, GN & CM Bloodstock Ltd, J F & Mrs P L Hepburn, Ben Kwok, R Lau, T N Simpson & Westonlea Bloodstock, he was bought by David Ellis CNZM for $300,000 at the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud. Fixed odds: $21.00. Barrier 15 - rider: Warren Kennedy

She Turns Heads (2 f Headwater - Convene, by Zizou) has finished runner-up in all three starts, including behind stable-mates Trobriand and Tokyo Tycoon, mentioned above, and most recently to subsequent Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1100m) winner Codigo (Ardrossan). Owned by Te Akau Go the Girls Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $300,000 at the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Carlaw Park. Fixed odds: $26.00. Barrier 2 - rider: Jake Bayliss

+++++++++++

 

Last year, Te Akau recorded the double when Pin Me Up (3 f Pins - Brampton Loco, by O'Reilly) won the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m).  Only one other stable has ever recorded the double and that was also Te Akau in 2020 with Cool Aza Beer and Probabeel claiming the 2YO and 3YO Million respectively.

In 2023 the stable has  two representatives this year. In Order of Entry:

 

Winner of five from six and continuing to raise the bar, Wild Night (3 g Vanbrugh - Supreme, by Falkirk) came from last to win the Sarten Memorial Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) in October at Te Rapa, and most recently looked classy late when winning the Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on Boxing Day at Pukekohe. He was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM for $50,000 at the Karaka 2021 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud, and owned by Te Akau Love to Party Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Fixed odds: $3.60. Barrier 2 - rider: Opie Bosson

 

 

Attempting to become the second winner of both the Karaka Million 2YO and Karaka Million 3YO Classic, previously achieved by former stable-mate Probabeel (Savabeel), Dynastic (3 c Almanzor - Meir, by Volksraad) was also Group One placed as a two-year-old. He resumed at three winning the El Roca - Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1200m) and last start finished third in the Auckland Guineas (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 1 January at Te Rapa. Purchased by David Ellis CNZM at 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from draft of Windsor Park Stud, owned by Te Akau 2021 Stallion Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Fixed odds: $31.00. Barrier 3 - rider: Craig Grylls

 

 

Back