Trish Dunell
No Limits, the $1.4 million sales topper at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Book 1 Sale in January, made a pleasing start to his career when taking out his 600m trial heat at Te Teko on Tuesday.
The son of Savabeel impressed Te Akau principal David Ellis when he was inspecting Waikato Stud’s draft and he holds great expectations with the two-year-old.
“He was one of the best athletes I’ve seen at Karaka in the last ten years,” Ellis said.
“He’s an absolutely stunning horse, was on everyone’s list, and you didn’t have to be a genius to work out he was the most impressive athlete on the (sales) complex this year.
“We’ve put together a stallion breeding syndicate for the last few years, with seven stallions now at stud, in New Zealand and Australia, and we’d like to think this colt could join them if everything goes to plan.”
Trainer Jamie Richards and jockey Michael McNab were equally impressed with No Limit’s first assignment.
“He keeps improving on everything he’s done at home and you only have to show him once and he cottons on,” McNab said. “He’s a great ride, has a smooth action, and it was pretty stylish the way he won.”
Richards said the educational outing was ideal, but also feels there is no rush getting him to the races.
“He’s a beautiful colt and we’ve liked him all the way through from the breaking in process at Te Akau.
“He did very well in his first prep, before having a break, and had a couple of nice jump outs this time in. He was very professional at the trials. He led, railed, showed good speed and quickened in to win his trial quite impressively.”
Te Akau have a strong record in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m), having won the last three editions of the race including securing the hat-trick in this year’s race, and No Limits is being set to lead Te Akau’s charge in 2020.
“He’s going to have a couple of weeks off now at Te Akau Stud, and once back in we will aim towards some of the better two-year-old races after Christmas, with a goal being the Karaka Million in January at Ellerslie, Sistema Stakes (Gr.1, 1200m) at Ellerslie, and Sires’ Produce (Gr.1, 1400m) at Awapuni,” Richards said. – NZ Racing Desk