Cambridge Stud will join forces with Te Akau Racing in sending six race fillies to Melbourne for the Spring Carnival to be trained by Jamie Richards. In what is expected to be an ongoing partnership.
Cambridge Stud is hoping to build on the success of Surround Stakes winner Probabeel with five additional fillies, including Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes winner Vernazza and the exciting 2yo winner Pazienza.
The joint venture has the blessing of Cambridge Stud’s private trainer Lance Noble who will continue to train approximately 28 horses from his Karaka base. Lance was responsible for preparing Vernazza during the last season to win the Breeders’ Stakes and run second in the Sistema Stakes, Group 1, at Ellerslie.
“With around 45 horses remaining in New Zealand to be trained either by Lance or other local trainers, we will continue to support the local industry” said Cambridge Stud CEO Henry Plumptre yesterday.
“However, with the successful conclusion of a new Racing Bill very much in the balance, a significant investment at Cambridge Stud over the past two years dictates an alternative business model as we move forward. Our stable has enjoyed great success with Jamie Richards and the Te Akau team over the past 18 months and it is exciting for us to be part of an elite team taking on Australian racing which many consider to be the best in the world.”
Te Akau Principal David Ellis added “Three or four years ago, we made a conscious decision to expand Te Akau’s presence in Australia. This plan was immediately successful with the stable winning races in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne with horses the calibre of Gingernuts, Melody Belle, Shocking Luck and Shillelagh. This season, the next stage of the plan has come to fruition with Probabeel, Te Akau Shark and Melody Belle all winning Group 1 races in Australia under the guidance of Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards. Cambridge Stud is an iconic brand with an international reputation.
Te Akau is very proud to be entrusted with a high-class group of Cambridge fillies and we look forward to competing with the best in Melbourne this coming Spring and beyond.”
