Walker welcomes exciting reinforcements to Cranbourne

[Wandering Eyes]

Te Akau’s Cranbourne barn has welcomed some exciting reinforcements ahead of spring racing, headlined by $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) heroine Damask Rose.

The rising four-year-old mare was a standout for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson in her three-year-old term, winning three of her five starts in her homeland, including the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and NZB Kiwi, accruing more than $2 million in earnings.

Having taken out two of New Zealand’s richest races, her connections have now set their sights on securing the lion’s share of one of Australia’s biggest prizes – the A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on November 1.

The daughter of Savabeel, who was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis out of Milan Park’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $200,000, gained an automatic entry into the rich feature through her NZB Kiwi triumph.

Damask Rose landed in Melbourne last month, and Walker said she has settled in well to her new environment.

“She has settled in really well to out Cranbourne barn, we are really happy with her. She hasn’t missed a beat,” he said.

“She is still lightly raced and she has got a bright future.”

While the Golden Eagle remains her key spring target, Walker has outlined a potentially lucrative pathway to the Syndey feature.

“She will kick-off in the Cockram Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) on the 30^th of August and she will have a couple of jumpouts before then,” he said.

“From the Cockram it is three weeks to the Sir Rupert Clarke (Gr.1, 1400m) and then three weeks after that is the Toorak, a Group One mile handicap, and it is three weeks from there to the Golden Eagle.”

Te Akau’s Group One-winning two-year-old Return To Conquer has also crossed the Tasman, with his major spring target also set to take place on November 1.

The son of Snitzel was an unstoppable force in New Zealand, winning all four of his starts, including the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m), Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m), and Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m).

With an eye to his future at stud, Walker is gearing his campaign towards the stallion-making A$2 million Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day.

“He is jumping out next Monday and he will be aimed towards the Coolmore Stud Stakes and see if he measures up to the sprinting three-year-olds over here,” Walker said. “He’s an exciting prospect.”

Te Akau’s Cranbourne barn is set to gain another exciting addition from their New Zealand operation next week when they welcome Group One-winning filly La Dorada.

The daughter of Super Seth has been bested in only one of her five starts to date, when runner-up in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) to Too Sweet at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, but subsequently went on to win the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

“La Dorada is over next week and she will be aimed towards the Thousand Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) here,” Walker said. “She is just coming for the spring and then she will head back home for the Karaka Millions 3YO and NZB Kiwi.”

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