Te Akau Shark to be set for Sydney Group 1

8 months ago

Exciting New Zealand four-year-old Te Akau Shark will likely be given the chance at winning a maiden Group 1 race in Sydney en route to the Cox Plate.

Trainer Jamie Richards said Te Akau Shark – a winner of five of his six starts - would be aimed towards the Epsom Handicap in September in front of part-owner, rugby league star Paul Gallen.

“We would love to win a race like the Epsom on the way to the Cox Plate,” Te Akau principal David Ellis told NZ Racing Desk.

“It is a pretty exciting time. He is owned by a lot of the boys from the Cronulla Sharks in Sydney, so they are pretty excited that we are bringing him to Sydney first.

“I think he would be really well weighted in an Epsom Handicap. We would probably give him two runs before the Epsom and then straight from the Epsom into the Cox Plate.”

The gelded son of Rip Van Winkle was sent to the paddock following his brilliant six-length win in the G2 Coupland's Bakeries Mile in November.

Te Akau Shark has been given ample time to overcome some minor issues.

“We gave him a long spell through the summer and autumn,” Ellis said.

“He had his first bit of three-quarter pace last Saturday morning and Jamie Richards is really happy with the way he is coming to hand.

“I think he has just matured and strengthened a little bit (since last year). I was over at the stable in Matamata on Monday and he certainly is a very happy horse and is hitting out pretty freely, which is the most important thing with him.”

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