Another Riccarton classic beckons for Te Akau
Five times in the last dozen years a horse carrying the tangerine and blue Te Akau colours has won the first three-year-old classic of the season, the New Zealand 2000 Guineas.
That scenario is looming again in the countdown to the 2017 edition of the $500,000 Riccarton feature, which for the first time will be sponsored by the Dubaibased Al Basti Equiworld, with three in-form runners from Matamata’s largest stable to the fore in pre-race discussions.
Last Saturday at Trentham, the Stephen Autridge/Jamie Richards-trained colt Embellish cemented his place at the top of the market when he scored an impressive win against older horses. Having finished second in his only start last season, he cleared maiden grade easily at Ruakaka a month ago and made the step up to Saturday feature company just as readily.
The good looking Savabeel colt, a brother to the Group Onewinning mare Diademe, has always been highly regarded by those closest to him and he has only to continue in the same vein to justify that rating.
One of his attributes is the manner in which he positions himself and cruises in the run, then delivers at the business end like a serious racehorse. It’s a trait that equips him perfectly for what awaits at Riccarton on Saturday week.
Stablemate Te Akau Shark, the winner of his only two starts, has less ringcraft but as the $7 second favourite for the 2000 Guineas, it’s obvious that he’s right in the mix. The horse that completes the Te Akau contingent, Age Of Fire, was sent south early and in three starts on Canterbury tracks has had a win, a second and a third. On the fifth line of betting at $12, he’s being kept safe by the TAB bookies.
The big question is who will ride Embellish and his stablemates, with stable jockey Opie Bosson expected to stay with the $4 favourite – that is provided he’s at Riccarton on November 11.
On the same day Gingernuts is booked to line up in the A$2 million Emirates Stakes on the final day of Melbourne Cup week, and it may transpire that Opie will be required for that mission.