Shark savages Coupland’s rivals
Te Akau Shark maintained his status as New Zealand’s most exciting galloper, producing a stunning finishing burst to land the Gr.2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) at Riccarton yesterday.
Settled back in the field by jockey Opie Bosson, Te Akau Shark was produced centre track in the home straight to win eased-down by six lengths from Boots & All and Kolonel Kev.
‘‘He’s awesome,’’ winning trainer Jamie Richards said. ‘‘I don’t like to talk too much before the race but his work at Matamata on Monday was unreal.’’
Te Akau Shark is raced by a trans-tasman syndicate which includes NRL legend Paul Gallen, a veteran back-rower for the Cronulla Sharks.
‘‘I came here hoping that he’d win, and we’ve had an absolute ball over the past couple of days,’’ Gallen said yesterday. ‘‘The way he performed then, he’s an absolute superstar.
‘‘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.’’
Te Akau Shark will head to Te Akau Stud on Saturday for a break before being prepared for Sydney in the autumn, with the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) in April a possible target.
Meanwhile, seven-year-old gelding Prince Oz has been a revelation since joining the stable of Riccarton trainer Neill Ridley.
The talented sprinter won his seventh race in succession for Ridley when proving too strong for his rivals in the Gr.3 Lindauer Stewards’ Stakes Handicap (1200m) at Riccarton.
The son of O’reilly had only the one win to his name before transferring to Ridley’s care from his part-owner and breeder Raymond Connors and has since gone unbeaten, with all seven victories from his new quarters over 1200m.
‘‘He has bolted in, I’m very pleased,’’ Ridley said. ‘‘He looked good and was well ridden.