Te Akau Racing are building a strong record in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m), and they will look to continue that at Caulfield on Saturday when Damask Rose takes her place in this year’s edition.
The daughter of Savabeel had a standout season in New Zealand last term, winning three of her five starts, including the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), both under Blake Shinn.
The leading Australian hoop will rekindle his association with the mare on Saturday, and the pair will be seeking the stable’s third win in the race in recent years, having won it with Probabeel in 2021 and last year with Quintessa.
She has had two jumpouts prior to Saturday’s run, and trainer Mark Walker is happy with his mare’s condition ahead of her first-up run.
“She appears to have come back really well,” Walker said. “She is bright and well. It just depends what the weather does a little bit, they are meant to get about eight to 10ml of rain.”
Walker is wary of her opposition but said the Cockram will give him a good line on where she is at in a spring preparation geared towards the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Randwick on November 1.
“It is a very good field, a lot tougher than last year when Quintessa won it,” he said. “It is a good form race heading into the spring.
“Safely through this she is pencilled in to go to the Sir Rupert Clarke (Gr.1, 1400m), so it’s only going to get tougher with Group One racing next time.”
Walker is also pleased with the progression of stablemate La Dorada, who is set to kick-off her spring campaign next week at The Valley in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m).
It is another race that holds fond memories for the stable, having won it two years ago with their former sprinting sensation Imperatriz.
“She is going to run in the Moir next Saturday, she only gets in with 50 kilos in that,” Walker said. “It is going to be a hot field, and I would much prefer it to be 1200m, but if she went to the three-year-old fillies race on the same day she has to carry 59.5kg, so we are leaning towards running in the Moir.”
Back in New Zealand this weekend, the stable will be shooting for stakes glory with three-year-old gelding To Bravery Born in the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).
The son of Snitzel was victorious first-up over 1100m at Taupo a fortnight ago, and Walker is hopeful of a repeat performance.
“He has had that lead-up run at Taupo, which will be helpful as it is going to be quite a testing track,” Walker said. “He is one for one at Wanganui, which is a big help if he can handle that track.
“It is a bit of a step up from what he beat at Taupo, but he appears to have trained on well.”
The stable will have a strong hand at Riccarton’s meeting on Saturday, with 10 runners competing on the nine-race card.
Walker is particularly looking forward to seeing Cool Aza Rene and Belle Du Monde return in the NZ Horse Ambulance Winter Appeal Three-Year-Old (1000m), and Group One performer Perfect Scenario commence his preparation in the Christchurch Casino 30th SI Awards 12 September Open (1000m).
“Cool Aza Rene is not very big, but she is tough, and 1000m suits her perfectly,” Walker said.
“Belle Du Monde is a very nice filly down there and she was always going to be a better three-year-old.
“1000m will be too sharp for Perfect Scenario, but you never know with him. If they go hard, he will be getting home strong.”
Meanwhile, Walker was pleased with exciting three-year-old Hostility’s 800m trial win at Ellerslie on Thursday, and he is looking forward to seeing what the Group One performer can do over spring.
“We are happy with him,” Walker said. “That was only 800m, I think his pet distance will be a mile. He will probably kick-off in the El Roca (Listed, 1200m) next Saturday at Ellerslie.”