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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
With some luck in the coming months, the resumption of the Sovereignty-Journalism rivalry could prove an international sensation. View the full article -
Credit where credit is due Quite a write up on the TA Facebook site about What You Wish For What You Wish For - Wow! From last to first, What You Wish For (5 g Embellish – Grand Wish, by Smart Missile) continued a great run for the stable in the $100,000 Harcourts Taupo Cup (Open Handicap, 2000m) on 28 December at Taupo. Ridden patiently and back in distance after contesting the Group 3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) on 20 December at Trentham, What You Wish For had already shown his liking for 2000 metres, having won the Listed Kaimai Stakes over that distance earlier this year, while having also won on the course. With former Te Akau appreciate Wiremu Pinn aboard, who is riding in fine form, What You Wish For was tasked with the outside barrier (14), which meant dropping back and standing the leader nine lengths at the 600m, but he circled ominously into the straight and let fly with a mighty sprint to reel in pacemaker Knights Realm. “It set up perfectly for him, we drew 14, I got a little bit further back than I wanted to, but there was genuine speed, they went quite quick, and I knew I was always going to pick them up,” Pinn said. “I don’t think his last two runs have been bad, but I never spent a penny, just had to track up at the corner and he did the rest on his own.” The win by What You Wish For was achieved in similar fashion to his fresh-up performance on the course over 1300 metres last season, where he got back from a wide draw, circled quickly topping the rise approaching the home turn and sustained a huge run to win impressively. On Soft5 footing, What You Wish For ran 2000 metres in 2:02.5, last 600m in 35.1 (approx.) and paid $10.80 & $3.10 on the NZ TAB tote. “It was a really good effort and it looks as though 2000 metres is his sweet spot,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson. “It was a good ride by Wiremu (Pinn). There was a lot of speed in the race, which we thought would be the case in our pre-race planning, and he has a good affinity with the Taupo course. “It’s a great ownership group, they’ve had a lot of fun with him and we just have to keep placing him to advantage. He was well placed today, down on the minimum (54kg). “And well done to the Taupo Racing Club to stage a $100,000 race. It just shows how we need good country racing clubs to be active in this country. The crowds at these country meetings have been huge and shows that grassroots racing is what it’s all about. “A lot of the Taupo work on the course and administration is voluntary, as is the case with most country racing clubs, and they take a great deal of pride in their course and race meetings.” Owned by the Te Akau Wish & Win Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), What You Wish For was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM for $60,000 at the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud. Ellis also purchased sire Embellish (Savabeel) as a yearling at Karaka, winner of the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas, beating stable-mates Age of Fire (Fastnet Rock), while subsequent superstar Te Akau Shark (Rip Van Winkle) was beaten a nose for third. What You Wish is proving a terrific horse for his owners to be involved in, with five wins and over $280,000 in prizemoney. Impressive winning as a two-year-old, What You Wish For had a good three-year-old season, finishing fourth in the Group 2 Sarten Memorial (1400m), third in the Group 2 Waikato Guineas (2000m), and ended his campaign with a solid sixth in the Group 1 NZ Derby (2400m), while last season he won the Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m). Having previously won the Taupo Cup in 2012 with Galshaan (Galileo), the Te Akau stable has ramped up proceedings to win it again in 2023 with Mehzebeen (Almanzor), who subsequently won the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) and Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m), and finished second last year with Midnight Blue (So You Think). “We won the Taupo Cup a while ago with Galshaan, and now two of the last three, so I’m thrilled we’re developing a really good record in the race,” Ellis said. “I take my hat off to the Taupo Racing Club, its president Terry Campbell, and all the racing enthusiasts on the committee. “They’ve upgraded the tracks and stabling facilities over the years and Taupo, like so many of the country racecourses in New Zealand, provides a great day out at the races. They work incredibly hard and do so much for the industry staging track gallops (and I am told, v very good morning tea for the team too) - they deserve to have a successful day like this. “It’s the first time the Club has staged a $100,000 race and, as I say, it's a club that is very passionate about the industry. “What You Wish For is from the first crop of Embellish, a very underrated sire that continues leaving really good horses, and the Cambridge Stud stallion roster is going extremely well - we are proud that we purchased both Sword of State and Embellish, being both Group 1 winners for Te Akau Racing before going to stud. “I’m pleased to see Wiremu (Pinn) riding in such good form. He’s a talented jockey and he’s continuing to gain a better understanding of racing reading and tempo. “Mark, Sam, and Reece (Trumper) have done a fantastic job of training What You Wish, just keeping him a bit fresher since he raced at Trentham, and he’s rewarded everyone involved. “We’ve got the best team of people we’ve ever had at Matamata, and we’re really looking forward to the sales at the Gold Coast and Karaka in January, and also to races like the Karaka Millions and the NZB Kiwi, as we aim to win them again like we did in 2025.” What You Wish is the first foal from Grand Wish, who won as a two-year-old over 1200 metres in Australia, by terrific sire Smart Missile (Fastnet Rock), a Group Two winner and Group One placed sprinter and sire of over 1000 winners. Second dam Grand Strategy (Strategic) left Group One, Two, and Three winning sprinter Griante (Good Journey), the winner of seven races. What You Wish For has a Sir Tristram cross on his sire side and Danehill cross on the dam side. What You Wish For was strapped by Sarah West. -
Noms were left open until 9 this morning, withdrawals at ten. To give them time to decide. -
☹️ if that was up north that last race probably would. -
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