Te Akau Rose in the Mix for Karaka Million
15 January 2009
With a fitting victory in the http://www.teakaustud.co.nz/ Juvenile (1200m), Te Akau Rose improves to fifteenth on the current Karaka Million Order of Entry after the withdrawal of confirmed non-starters.
Her win by a length over Danzinginthedark (Ishiguru) took Te Akau Rose's (Thorn Park - Straussbridge, by Straussbrook) accumulated earnings to $7,310, and position nineteen on the $1,000,000 Karaka Million Order of Entry. With current top twenty Karaka Million entrants Winter King, Brazilian Princess, Dawned, and Regal Flame confirmed non-starters in the event, Te Akau Rose assumes position fifteen, just one horse outside the fourteen starting spots.
The Thorn Park filly's victory was also significant in that it brought up win number 1000 for jockey Michael Walker, a feat he achieved in record time, and is also the youngest ever jockey to achieve such a feat.
Te Akau Rose is from a fantastic 'early' family that includes smart two-year-olds of last season Lady Alberton (Golan), winner of the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes, and Alberton Princess (Golan), placed in the Group 3 Taranaki RC 2YO Classic, who is a half-sister to Te Akau Rose. Their dam, Straussbridge, was herself a smart two-year-old winning twice including the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes.
Windsor Park Stud will offer a full sister to Te Akau Rose at the Karaka Premier Yearling Sale, just over one week away. At Lot 276 the filly is all quality according to Windsor Park's Michael Moran.
"She is a lovely, quality filly from a top two-year-old family, and by looking at her you would say that she is going to be another one."
Windsor Park Stud's Lot 340 is also closely related to Te Akau Rose. She is by High Chaparral out of a half-sister to Straussbridge.
Focus for the 25 January $1,000,000 Karaka Million now turns to Trentham on Saturday where Veldt, King's Ransom, Numero De Lago, Kamar Dancer, Time Keeper, Purobeach and Elbeesutina will look for valuable prizemoney in the Group 2 $100,000 Wakefield Challenge Stakes to guarantee themselves a place in the fourteen horse field. Prizemoney for the Wakefield will be distributed as follows: $59,375, $19,000, $9,500, $4,750, $2,375, with 6th to 10th receiving $1,000. Currently in fourteenth position is Kaaptan with $9,350.