Innes full of praise for Aegon
Jockey Leith Innes admitted his confidence soared when he was legged aboard top threeyear-old Aegon in the Ellerslie parade ring on Saturday evening.
The regular pilot of the Sacred Falls gelding knew he had a battle on his hands ahead of the $1 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic
(1600m) with his charge not having run since November and up against the powerful Te Akau Racing representative, exciting filly Amarelinha.
Innes had nothing but faith in the skills of trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman to have Aegon ready to win and so it proved as Innes combined a masterful ride with the natural ability of his mount as the pair combined to lift the trophy with a stunning performance.
‘‘I was a bit wary of that Te Akau filly and I knew he had a few negatives against him as well,’’ Innes said.
‘‘He hadn’t raced since his 2000 Guineas [Group I, 1600m] win back in November, he hadn’t raced or trialled at Ellerslie and his draw [4] wasn’t the best as he was going to have a lot of traffic in front of him most of the way.
‘‘He looked a picture before the race and when I jumped on, I knew he was ready to go a big race, as he was on the job.
‘‘Despite the factors against him he showed just what a class animal he is, so to come out and win like he did, it was a huge effort.’’
While Innes was happy to underplay the role he played in the win, a split-second decision he made shortly after entering the home straight proved the winning of the race.
‘‘We had a chat about how to ride him and Murray and Andrew were adamant we would have to go through them, rather than around them, to give him his best chance,’’ he said.
‘‘I rode him where he was comfortable and when we got to the corner, he was really moving into it nicely.
‘‘Halfway down a gap closed between two horses, so I had to come outside one, but for him to balance up and finish like he did was pretty special.
‘‘Having ridden him a fair bit now I knew what he was capable of, and he definitely knows where the winning post is.
While Innes isn’t sure where the horse will head to next, he is adamant his pet distance is
1600m.
‘‘I know they have some big plans for him and I think he will be at his best at a mile,’’ Innes said.
Meanwhile, a brilliant performance by On The Bubbles, chased home by three of his stablemates, has added another chapter to trainer Jamie Richards and the Te Akau Racing team’s incredible dominance of the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m).
The undefeated Brazen Beau gelding overcame a horror draw to win by a 13⁄4 lengths from stablemates Sneaky Shark, Avonallo and Sophisticardo.
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