Rip Van Winkle's Te Akau Shark Claims Chipping Norton Stakes
The successful duo, trainer Jamie Richards and jockey Opie Bosson won the Gr.1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) with Te Akau Shark.
Placed in the Gr. 1 WS Cox Plate, Gr.1 Epsom Handicap and Gr.2 Tramway Stakes in three Australian starts last year, Te Akau Shark crossed the Tasman again after winning the Gr. 1 Waikato Sprint at his most recent start.
Settled well back in the field, the son of Rip Van Winkle (IRE) still had plenty to do at the 300 metres but he powered home to defeat another NZ-bred Verry Elleegant by a half-length, with Fierce Impact (JPN) (Deep Impact) a further one and quarter lengths back in third.
Purchased by David Ellis for A$230,000 out of the Lyndhurst Farm draft at the 2016 NZB Ready To Run Sale of 2YOs, Te Akau Shark advances his record to 7 wins, 3 seconds and 1 third from 12 starts with earnings of A$1,382,568.
He is the best of three winners from six to race out of the Group II Waikato Gold Cup winner Bak Da Chief who has a yearling colt by Redwood (GB) in the Woburn Farm draft heading to the Australian Easter Yearling Sale.