Maven Belle Leads Te Akau Spring Charge

Media Release - Tuesday July 11

New Zealand’s leading stable, Te Akau Racing, begun their march towards spring racing with the return of several of their big hitters at the trials on Cambridge’s synthetic surface on Tuesday morning.

Group One winner Maven Belle pleased with her trial win at Cambridge on Tuesday. Photo: Trish Dunell

The seven competitors in Heat 9, the 800m open handicap, all carried the tangerine and blue silks of the Matamata operation, with Maven Belle just getting the better of On The Bubbles on the line.

Te Akau Racing assistant trainer Sam Bergerson was pleased with what he saw from the stable runners, particularly Group One winner Maven Belle, who is earmarked to join the stable’s new Cranbourne arm next season.

“She trialled up well, we are really happy with her,” Bergerson said.

“Opie (Bosson, jockey) was very complimentary of her and said she did everything right. She was only there for a day out, but she quickened up really nicely and she will trial again at Te Rapa on August 1.

Advertisement

“She potentially could be one for Melbourne, but we are going to work through that over the coming weeks.”

Bergerson was just as pleased with On The Bubbles’ effort, gaining plenty of reassurance following the Group One winners return from a wind operation.

“He had a wind operation and had a bit of a disappointing season, but there was a reason for it,” he said.

“I said for Warren (Kennedy, jockey) to try and get a bit of cover if he could to get him relaxed and breathing well.

“Warren said he was so keen and was trucking along, so he let him go along up front and he was really happy. He looked happy to be there, he pulled up well, so there are positive signs for him.

“We are a bit wary after the wind operation. You don’t really know until you come under raceday pressure. I will say he will kick-off somewhere here.”

Group Two winner Cognito finished fifth and didn’t appreciate the synthetic surface, while Campionesa pleased with her hit-out ahead of a potentially lucrative spring.

“Ryan (Elliot, jockey) said he (Cognito) didn’t appreciate the synthetic,” Bergerson said.

“He was another one that was there for a trip out of the stable to tighten him up. He only looked fair to the eye, but he wasn’t a big fan of the synthetic. He is another that is heading to Te Rapa.

“Campionessa had a great year. She kept on raising the bar and she is coming up really well. She is a nice, big, solid mare now with plenty of condition on, and she will tighten up very nicely after that trial.

“She is one that is likely for the Hawke’s Bay series. She may kick-off in the Foxbridge (Gr.2, 1200m), but we will wait and see.”

Earlier in the day, Group One performer Dynastic pleased with his placing in his 950m heat.

“We are happy with him,” Bergerson said.

“He is one that could potentially end up on the early flight to Melbourne. There could be some nice Cups races with some good prizemoney over there for him.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Bravo Centurion - How Good is He?
Ridden by Chris Parnham for Luke Fernie, Bravo Centurion stretched his winning run to six, making every post a winner to defeat Saloon Bar (Sessions) by a long three and three-quarter lengths with Crippalenko (Maschino) a half-length back in third.
Sires With Winners - Saturday November 2
Here is the full list of 137 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
William Haggas Trained Lake Forest Triumphs in Golden Eagle
William Haggas is playing his part in keeping the UK economy afloat, taking home a further $5,250,000 after Lake Forest (GB) won an action-packed James Squire Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.
Fawkner Park Back to Winning Ways in G3 Rosehill Gold Cup
Since winning the Listed Albury Gold Cup in March, Fawkner Park has undergone an amazing transformation.
Invincible Mares Quinella G3 Furphy Sprint
The first foal of triple Group I winning mare Shoals, blueblood I Am invincible mare Isthmus has been threatening to win a stakes race this year and got the job done when charging clear to score a dominant victory in the Group III VRC Furphy Sprint (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday over another I Am Invincible mare in Kundalini.
Maven Belle delivers for Te Akau
Te Akau Racing has a proud record of winning the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) with a top-class juvenile from the previous season, and Maven Belle survived a scare and continued that tradition at Pukekohe on Saturday.
Maven Belle Back with a Bang
Last season’s Champion two-year-old Maven Belle made a stunning return to the racetrack when cruising to victory in the HR Fisken & Sons 1200 at Pukekohe on Sunday.
Back to Back Victoria Derby Winners for Triple Crown Hero American Pharoah
The Watson family owned South Australian nursery Mill Park is a name synonymous with serious Group I horses and in particular those bred by astute breeder Harry Perks and this winning association struck for a third time in the $2million Group I VRC Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday when Goldrush Guru saluted to join previous winners they have produced in Rebel Raider and Warning.
Switzerland Wins the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes for Coolmore
After Coolmore’s $875,000 I Am Invincible colt Home Affairs captured the Coolmore Stud Stakes in 2021, it was the turn of the $1,500,000 Snitzel colt Switzerland to do the sponsor proud in the $2,000,000 Group 1 feature at Flemington on Saturday.
Switzerland Brother an Inglis Easter Highlight for 2025
An “arrogant’’, “dominant’’ and “awesome’’ victory solidified Easter Sale superstar Switzerland’s future at stud when he produced a devastating performance to win the stallion making G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington today.