Te Akau Triumphs in NZB Castletown Stakes

The Te Akau team of David Ellis, Mark Walker and James McDonald, along with prominent syndicator Fortuna, combined with exciting young prospect Rio Fortune to capture the $50,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Castletown Stakes (1200) at Foxton yesterday.

The race named after six-time Group 1 winner Castletown, who was trained on the Foxton track by Paddy Busuttin, attracted eight entrants with punters unable to split Te Akau's Rio Fortune (Captain Rio x Bahira, by Volksraad) and unbeaten Moroney galloper Prince of Wales (Bachelor Duke x Serenity Princess, by Encosta De Lago) on the tote.

The colts started equal favourites at $2.70 for the win and rounding the final turn it looked like the two horse race was about to play out. Rio Fortune took the lead early in the straight with Flightoftheconcord (Savabeel) wilting quickly after setting a strong pace, and Prince of Wales loomed large on the chestnut gelding's outside.

Rio Fortune kicked too strongly though with James McDonald pushing him out powerfully, and Prince of Wales had no answer, finally finishing third after The Oaks Stud homebred Oakwood (Spartacus) who made good ground after a torrid trip to finish second, officially two lengths from the winner.

Rio Fortune sold at Lot 1 of Karaka's 2008 Premier Sale, with purchaser David Ellis securing him for $140,000 from Westbury Stud. His black type victory bodes well for his young Group 3 winning dam Bahira who herself is out of Group 1 ARC Championship Stakes winner Conifer Bay (Virginia Privateer).

Westbury Stud's  Bahira now resides in New South Wales where she has visited Tale of the Cat, Not a Single Doubt, and More Than Ready since foaling Rio Fortune.

Owned by Fortuna No. 7 Syndicate, and managed by John Galvin, Rio Fortune will now walk the path Fortuna star Tell A Tale trod this season, with the clear objective to be in ideal condition for the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas at Riccarton in November.