Te Akau Shark claims Coupland’s Mile in style

EXCITING galloper Te Akau Shark produced a stunning finish to win the group 2 Coupland’s Mile at Riccarton yesterday.

The striking chestnut powered away for an emphatic sixlength victory in the 1600m feature.

The performance confirmed Te Akau’s star status, and has him headed towards Australia.

Te Akau Shark is raced by a trantasman syndicate, which includes Australian rugby league player Paul Gallen.

Gallen will soon be able to watch Te Akau Shark much closer to his Sydney home.

Trainer Jamie Richards said after the horse’s victory Te Akau Shark would be set for the Doncaster Handicap during the Sydney autumn.

‘‘We would like to think he could get to the Doncaster. That is the race we want to set him for,’’ Richards said.

‘‘How we get there, I am not sure.

‘‘He is going to go home and have a nice month off and we will work it all out once he comes back in.

‘‘We know what he is capable of doing and he is a very exciting horse and I can’t wait to take him to Australia in the autumn.

‘‘He’s the sort of horse that gets us all out of bed in the morning and I’d like to give a big thank you to the staff at home who have done a great job with him.’’

Te Akau Shark is the first horse Gallen has raced.

He said he was thoroughly enjoying the Christchurch hospitality during the New Zealand Cup carnival.

‘‘I came here hoping that he’d win, and we’ve had an absolute ball over the past couple of days,’’ Gallen said.

‘‘He’s an absolute superstar. ‘‘This is the first horse I have been involved in and to be able to come and watch the race live and actually meet the horse was a real highlight.

‘‘I don’t know a lot about racing but from all reports he’s a superstar and hopefully he keeps on going.

‘‘I can’t wait for him to come to Sydney and do it all over again. Fingers crossed the result’s the same.’’

Prince Oz’s unbeaten southern run continued when he won the group 3 Stewards Stakes (1200m) yesterday.

The Neill Ridleytrained galloper made it seven straight wins in the South Island with his victory for rider Terry Moseley.