The Te Akau show rolls on as NZB The Kiwi looms for Karaka Millions 3YO heroine Damask Rose
You can never keep Te Akau Racing down for long.
A year ago, the tangerine machine didn’t win its eighth straight Karaka Millions 2YO (RL, 1200m), instead having to settle for second place in the $1 million event when Damask Rose (Savabeel) came in behind the Stephen Marsh-trained Velocious (Written Tycoon).
However, 12 months on – after La Dorada (Super Seth) made it eight Karaka Millions 2YOs in nine years for Te Akau – Damask Rose also made amends for last year’s defeat by taking out the richer-still, $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (RL, 1600m) at Ellerslie’s night of nights.
Ridden by Australian Blake Shinn – who’d 40 minutes earlier come fourth aboard Te Akau’s Karaka Millions 2YO favourite To Bravery Born (Snitzel) – Damask Rose found an ideal spot despite jumping from gate 12 of 13, settling midfield one off the fence.
Brought down the middle of the track in the straight, the $3.30 favourite built a fierce momentum inside the last 200 metres to catch the leaders and score by a length. Tuxedo (Tivaci) took second at $6.10, while Dealt With (Ace High) was a further length away in third at $7.40.
A $200,000 purchase by Te Akau boss David Ellis from Milan Park’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2023, the lightly raced Damask Rose now has three wins from six starts for more than $1 million in earnings.
Co-trainer Mark Walker paid tribute to Shinn, who pushed his way clear at the top of the straight before balancing up for the run home.
“It was a lovely ride by Blake as he rode her for a touch of luck and got the split at the right time,” said Walker, who co-trains with Sam Bergerson.
“That’s why you have these international riders on. Also well done to David Ellis who bought her.”
Walker said Damask Rose was continuing a golden trend for Te Akau females. She was the last yearling of her year that Te Akau fully sold out. Perhaps their two greatest – Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) and Avantage (Fastnet Rock) – were in the same boat.
“She was actually our last yearling to sell of her year and they are often very good, as Imperatriz was the same and so was Avantage,” Walker said.
With blinkers added on Saturday, Damask Rose atoned for her previous start when sixth in the Auckland Guineas (Gr 2, 1400m).
“I think her last run was just a little about being second-up,” Walker said. “But if you didn’t run then she couldn’t have won tonight. You are damned if you do and damned if you don’t sometimes.”
Damask Rose is now a $6 equal–favourite for the inaugural edition of New Zealand’s $3.5 million slot race, the NZB Kiwi (1600m) back at Ellerslie on March 8, where she will fill Te Akau’s slot.
“We will let the dust settle now but she will probably have a run between races somewhere and then go straight into the slot race,” Walker said.
Shinn said he was delighted to have crossed the Tasman for the victory.
“It’s special to be able to come here on one of New Zealand’s biggest days, have a great book of rides and importantly get a winner,” Shinn said.
“It’s a big team effort and that’s what they do [Te Akau Racing], they win these big races so I’m thankful for the opportunity.
“She jumped better than she did last time and she had blinkers applied today. I came over about two weeks ago and jumped her out in them and I thought they made her a bit more tractable and put her into the right spot where I wanted [today].
“I’m just really proud to be able to achieve this for Te Akau.”
Damask Rose (3 f Savabeel – Sombreuil by Flying Spur) is the third of four living foals from winning Australian mare Sombreuil (Flying Spur), who’s proving something of a super mare, since Damask Rose’s full–sister, Provence, became an elite–level winner in the Thorndon Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) just a fortnight ago.
In addition, Damask Rose hails from an extended family that includes her granddam Te Akau Rose (Thorn Park), who was a winner of the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m).
Third dam Straussbridge (Straussbrook) was also a stakes winner, and threw the dam of Group 1 winner and current Newgate Farm sire Brutal (O’Reilly).