Ellis had just witnessed star three-year-old Hall Of Fame carry Te Akau's
famous tangerine and blue colours to Group One glory and it was time to
celebrate. Amidst the jubilant scenes Ellis admitted he had had an inkling it
might be their day if fate played a hand in the result."When I first saw this colt at the Karaka Ready To Run sale I thought he was an absolute cracker who would fetch around the $400,000 mark," he noted.
"That was a real problem as although I wanted him I just didn't have that sort of money. He was passed in at $220,000 and Jamie (Richards) rang me almost immediately and said that we might be able to get him for around that mark. We went down and made an offer and got him for $230,000.
"When I took him home I said to my wife that he was the most athletic colt I think I've ever bought. Karen immediately said if that was the case then his stable name had to be Richie – in tribute to Richie McCaw.
"When we knew it was Richie's wedding day on Saturday I thought it would be very fitting if we could get a Group One on such an auspicious day so I guess fate definitely smiled on us with this one!"
While caught up in the turmoil of hand-shaking, back-slapping and group-hugging exhilaration after the judge had confirmed the Savabeel colt's victory, Ellis also knew what the win meant for his biggest assignment each year – the annual National Yearling Sale at Karaka.
Because that is when Ellis pits his judgment and expertise against the best as buyers from around the world converge to purchase the quality New Zealand horseflesh on offer.
"I've just come back from the Magic Millions sale where we were looking for some precocious two-year-old types," he explained.
"We bought five, however, our main focus is always at Karaka each year because that is where you have the opportunity to buy some of the best horses in the world. You only have to look at the record of New Zealand bred horses in all the major racing jurisdictions to know that we produce the best.
"If you want to race the best then that's why you need to be at Karaka and Te Akau will be there in the thick of things again this year."
Ellis is bullish about his prospects for Karaka 2017 after coming off the back of a twelve month period that has seen Te Akau Racing firing on all cylinders.
"We have had a great year and that win on Saturday is just another example of that," he said with pride.
"We've managed four Group One wins, topped the Trainers premiership and brought a host of new owners into the game with our syndicates.
"In the thirty years Te Akau Racing has been operating I can't think of a better team than we have at present and our results reflect that.
"That translates into support for what we do each year at the sales. Already we have had a number of approaches from both existing syndicate members and others who want to become involved. The breeding syndicate we run each year is almost fully subscribed which is a great vote of confidence."
Ellis is quick to admit that timing is everything and the stunning start that
Cambridge Stud based freshman sire Burgundy, a Te Akau Racing product, has made this season has also come at just the
right time."Burgundy is flying with his first three two-year-olds on the track all winning impressively," he said.
"I had four individual trainers approach me on Saturday to tell me they have a Burgundy in their stable that is showing real promise with one saying he had sent four mares to him this season because of what he's seen from the yearling he purchased at the sale last year.
"That's music to my ears and certainly to those who sharing that ride with us."
Ellis will be out and about this week inspecting the final few yearlings he has yet to see from the Karaka catalogue although he admits his attention will also be honed towards Trentham again on the weekend.
"Xtravagant is primed to resume in the Telegraph on Saturday and we are very excited about that," he explained.
"We've had the highest of highs with him along with some pretty tough lows as well. I have nothing but admiration for his owners who have all been there through thick and thin so it would be fantastic if we could get him back to his best for this one.
'
"One thing for sure is that he won't lack on the score of fitness as he has done the work and he is flying in his work at present.
"A win this Saturday certainly won't come any sweeter." – NZ Racing Desk
