Cover Image Courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
The tangerine team and trainer Jamie Richards headed to Auckland on Boxing Day having already scored with Fellini (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) at Pukekohe Park on Monday, followed two days later at New Plymouth by the impressive Lord Cosmos (Pierro).
On Sunday it was over to Grace ‘N’ Grey (NZ) (Spirit Of Boom), who had finished second on debut at Te Aroha last month behind her stablemate I Choose You (I Am Invincible).
Ridden by Danielle Johnson at Ellerslie on Sunday, Grace ‘N’ Grey went straight to the lead and dictated terms in front before kicking away at the top of the straight.
The strongest challenge came from her stablemate, fast-finishing first-starter Dynastic (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}), but Grace ‘N’ Grey had more than enough up her sleeve to hold on and score by 1.3l.
Grace 'N' Grey (NZ) ahead of stablemate Dynastic (NZ) | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“As Jamie's said all along, horses that have raced are a little more clued up than the rest,” Johnson said.
“She jumped well today, probably got on the wrong leg just before the corner, and that sent her on an outward movement.
“She’ll improve a lot for that, but she’s pretty professional. I felt Opie (Bosson) getting closer and closer on Dynastic, but she kept giving. The team have got some exciting chances for the Karaka Million.”
“She’ll (Grace ‘N’ Grey) improve a lot for that, but she’s pretty professional. I felt Opie (Bosson) getting closer and closer on Dynastic, but she kept giving. The team have got some exciting chances for the Karaka Million.” - Danielle Johnson
Te Akau has now had five individual 2-year-old winners in New Zealand this season, with I Choose You and the Listed winner Bright Blue Sky (Fastnet Rock) opening their account with stylish performances in November.
By Spirit Of Boom out of a half-sister to G2 Emancipation S. winner Positive Peace (Stratum), Grace ‘N’ Grey was bought by David Ellis for NZ$240,000 from Cambridge Stud’s draft at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
Grace 'N' Grey (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Ellis paid NZ$360,000 at the same Sale to buy Dynastic, who comes from the first crop of Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Almanzor (Fr) and is out of a sister to stakes performers Lady Le Fay (NZ) (Thorn Park) and The Tidy Express (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}).
“It’s a big thrill when you buy these horses at the yearling sales, put a lot of good friends into them and they trust you, and it’s great to see them come out and race like that,” Ellis said.
David Ellis
“She’s our third 2-year-old winner in a week, and the race provided another couple that are staking their claims for the Karaka Million.
"She’s (Grace 'N' Grey) our third 2-year-old winner in a week, and the race provided another couple that are staking their claims for the Karaka Million." - David Ellis
“She’s done everything right and won impressively, Grace ‘N’ Grey, and I thought the colt was very good too, especially off a tough trip.
“I bought Grace ‘N’ Grey from Brendan Lindsay, and anything from Cambridge Stud you know is going to have a really good chance of making it.”
Richards and the Te Akau team currently have Grace ‘N’ Grey, Taviarma (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Lord Cosmos, Fellini and Dynastic among the top dozen in the order of entry for the Karaka Million 2YO at Ellerslie on January 22 – a race they have won five times in a row with with Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), Avantage (Fastnet Rock), Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel), Cool Aza Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) and On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau).
Grace ‘N’ Grey followed the Group 3 winner Spirits Aubeer as the second winner from just six New Zealand runners for Spirit Of Boom, who stood for a 2021 service fee of $33,000 (inc GST) at Eureka Stud. Spirit Of Boom has sired a total of 226 winners from 337 runners.
Spirit Of Boom | Standing at Eureka Stud
The third placegetter in Sunday's race at Ellerslie was first-starter Charmario (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}), whose co-trainer Roger James was the underbidder on both Grace 'N' Grey and Dynastic when they went through the sale ring at Karaka.
Meanwhile, Te Akau’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic contender Bright Blue Sky finished fourth behind the impressive Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) in Sunday’s G3 Magic Millions BJ McLachlan S. at Doomben.
