Family connections make Cool Aza Rene a filly close to Te Akau’s heart and the youngster again did them proud at Riccarton on Wednesday.

Shamardal’s Group I winning son Lope de Vega started his stud career shuttling to Patinack Farm in Hunter Valley from 2011 to 2014 at fees of $27,500 and then $22,000, but has shot to fame in the years since then with Ballylinch Stud in Ireland announcing his 2025 fee at €175,000.