Trish Dunell
The powerful Te Akau Racing team will attempt a hit and run mission at Woodville on Monday when eccentric performer Wide Awake tackles the Bambry’s Water Treadmill Woodville Cup (2100m).
Wide Awake will be the only member of the Matamata operation in action at Woodville with co-trainer Stephen Autridge hopeful the Savabeel gelding can give the team a perfect winning record for the day.
“I think it’s time for this horse to step up and produce the sort of performance we think he is capable of,” said Autridge.
“He has been a little unlucky along the way however, he probably hasn’t quite lived up to his reputation as yet.
“He gets the right opportunity at Woodville to make a statement so that is what we will be looking for.”
A $150,000 purchase by David Ellis from the Premier session of the 2015 National Yearling Sale, the son of four-time Group One placegetter Kay’s Awake has won two of his 12 starts. Autridge is of the belief that a step up to a middle distance is what the four-year-old has been looking for.
“I think it has just been a maturity thing with him so now that he is getting stronger he appeals as the type that will thrive over a bit of distance,” he said.
“His last run at Hawkes Bay over a mile was good as he hit the line strongly, so I don’t see the step up to 2100m as a problem.”
Meanwhile Autridge, training partner Jamie Richards and the whole Te Akau Racing team are gearing up for a massive day at Ellerslie on Saturday where they will saddle up leading contenders in a number of the feature events.
New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas winner Embellish looks likely to start a warm favourite in the Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) while Melody Belle will tackle the Gr. 3 Mongolian Khan Trophy (1200m). The Listed Karaka Million (1200m) for the two-year-olds could see Te Akau provide more than a third of the field with Avantage, Al Hasa, Sword Of Osman and Pinot Grey guaranteed a start with Irish Cream also a chance to make the final field.
“All of the team are ready to go for Ellerslie, so it is a very exciting time,” said Autridge.
“We will have final gallops on Tuesday but at this stage we are very pleased with the team. Of course, we will need luck to go our way, but we are going in with some live winning chances which is really all you can ask for.” – NZ Racing Desk