The ever-consistent Pokuru Gold (NZ) (Darci Brahma) completed a limited season in his customary fashion on Saturday at Ellerslie, dominating his rivals in the Join TAB Racing Club 1100.
From the Te Akau Racing stable of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, Pokuru Gold had appeared at the races just three times this term, one less than the number of starts he had as a three-year-old. But, the son of Darci Brahma has taken every opportunity, winning four races, and he started a second-fancy to Australian import Judicial in the Rating 75 contest.
The short-priced favourite strode up to the lead early under Vinnie Colgan, but began to over-race through the mid-stages, while Pokuru Gold found a beautiful rhythm in his trail in the hands of Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman.
Judicial kicked early in the home straight but felt the pinch at the 100m, and Pokuru Gold went straight on by, cruising through the line to score by 1 ½ lengths with Chateau Vallee closely gamely into second.
Hassman was delighted with the performance, heavily praising the son of Darci Brahma.
“Oh man, he’s an athlete,” she said. “He travelled beautifully throughout and showed an amazing kick turning for home.
“I was right behind him (Judicial) and ready to pounce the whole way, and we blatted on past him.”
As mentioned by Te Akau assistant trainer Reece Trumper, Pokuru Gold has encountered soundness issues through his career, but the stable has plenty of time for the gelding.
“We know the ability is there,” Trumper said. “He’s got a very good record and the three kilos off today was the key, for sure.
“He’s had knee chips removed in the past, which has been mentioned in his racing career, but he’s 100-percent sound now and the team do a wonderful job managing and keeping him that way.
“We just try and keep the horse happy, manage him with trips to the water walker after his races, and he does the rest.
“A big thanks to Ian Farrelly (owner), he’s taken time with a horse that has had his issues. He’s a champion to train for and the horses always wins when Ian’s on track, like he is today.”
Walker indicated the gelding would now be sent for a freshen-up, with a view on returning to race in the new season.
Pokuru Gold has accumulated just shy of $100,000 in his efforts to date, with five wins, two thirds and a fourth for Farrelly, who bred him out of a winning mare Pokuru Nugget.
Walker, Bergerson and Hassman were back in the winner’s circle later in the Ellerslie meeting, with War Of Succession (Tavistock) saluting in the Horizon By SkyCity (2100m).
A gelding by Tavistock, War Of Succession had returned to form when winning over a mile last time out, and on Saturday, he looked right at home over the middle distance trip. Settling in the second half of the field, War Of Succession travelled comfortably throughout and loomed up turning for home, running down The Precursor late to win by 1 ¼ lengths.
“It was another really good win and a lovely ride of Hayley’s,” Walker said. “She got him into a perfect spot, off the fence at the right time, and got to the right part of the track turning for home.
“We’re very thankful for the patience of the owners. He’s just had a few niggles and maturity problems, but he’s starting to put it altogether now.”
War Of Succession was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis out of Curraghmore’s Book 1 draft at Karaka in 2022, and has three wins to his name from eight starts. His most recent success brought up a milestone for Te Akau, as the first New Zealand stable to surpass $9 million in stakes earnings in a season.