Stunning Mile win for Ready to Run Star Te Akau Shark (NZ)

A week out from New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2018 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, a budding superstar graduate of the Sale has produced a breath-taking performance during the New Zealand Cup carnival at Riccarton.

Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle), who cost $230,000 at the 2016 Ready to Run Sale, scored his fifth win from six career starts with a runaway victory in Wednesday’s $230,000 Group 2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m).

Ridden by Opie Bosson, the $1.50 favourite sat back in the field before angling to the outside in the straight to make his run. He bounded past his opposition like they were standing still, streaking away to score by six lengths.

“That was awesome,” trainer Jamie Richards enthused.

“I don’t like to talk horses up too much before a race, but his work at Matamata leading into this race was unreal.

“Along with all of our staff who’ve done a great job with this horse, I have to thank David (Ellis, Te Akau Racing principal) – he bought the horse and put together this group of owners with Steve Mace, who he met by the pool in Hawaii. It’s a remarkable story.

“He’s a very exciting horse, and I can’t wait to take him to Australia in the autumn.”

Te Akau Shark is raced by a trans-Tasman syndicate that includes Cronulla Sharks rugby league star Paul Gallen, who made the trip to Riccarton for Wednesday’s race.

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

“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.

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

Having previously won the Group 3 Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings, Te Akau Shark has now earned $242,250 in prize-money.

The Coupland’s Mile produced a New Zealand Bloodstock trifecta, with runner-up Boots ’N’ All (NZ) (Perfectly Ready) offered for a $5,000 reserve at the 2014 South Island Sale and third-placed Kolonel Kev (NZ) (Darci Brahma) purchased for $200,000 at the 2013 Premier Sale.

The 2018 Ready to Run Sale will be held at Karaka on November 21 and 22.