Photo: Race Images - Kenton Wright
Te Akau Racing looks to have another strong hand in the upcoming Group One features for the three-year-olds at Riccarton next month with Asturia (Almanzor) laying down a stern challenge to all Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) candidates with a stunning victory at Ellerslie.
The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared daughter of Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor had impressed with her debut victory over 1400m at Ellerslie in September before tackling the boys in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) later that month, finishing a superb second to talented gelding Old Fashioned.
With leading rider Michael McNab aboard, Asturia was just one of a number of chances in the Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie but by the time the 1400m contest was concluded she stood head and shoulders above the rest and off to Christchurch as the $4 Fixed Odds co-favourite alongside Hawea who she saw off comfortably on Saturday.
McNab produced a stellar effort in the saddle as he positioned Asturia towards the rear on the rail but travelling easily within herself.
Things began to get serious approaching the home bend as McNab moved Asturia to the outside before unleashing her in the centre of the track at the 300m.
Asturia quickly charged after Liguria who had hit the front at that point and charged past her to win by a comfortable one length margin, with Fiamma and Miss Magnetica both arriving powerfully in the closing stages to take third and fourth respectively.
Co-trainer Bergerson was all smiles after the race and looking forward to the filly tackling Group One company at Riccarton next month.
“That was so good to see and a pretty impressive 1000 Guineas trial I would think,” Bergerson said.
“She’s a really exciting filly and I can’t thank the team enough at home. Michael (McNab) and Opie (Bosson) have done a lot of work with her, and she keeps going from strength to strength.
“I really liked how she raced today. She settled, got on the back of the right horse, tracked into it well and great to see her quicken like that.
“We were quietly confident as she went a super race at Hastings without a lot of luck so we all thought if she could stay out of trouble the 1400m on a decent track was what she would excel at.
“It was a very patient ride from Michael and to put away a field like that, you couldn’t be more impressed.”
Bergerson indicated that the filly had now earned her ticket to Riccarton as long as she pulled up well from the effort.
“We aren’t a team who makes decisions on raceday, so we will take her home and let her tell us she has come through the run in good order,” he said.
“The New Zealand 1000 Guineas on the 7th of November is first up, but a lot can happen between then and now.
“If we can get there in one piece and in similar form, then the Riccarton track and the 1600m will suit her right down to the ground, so we will have our fingers crossed.”
Nominated for both the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November, Asturia was purchased by Sir David Ellis from the Landsdowne Park draft during the Book 1 Sale at Karaka in 2025 for $135,000.
She is raced by the Te Akau Legacy Of Love Racing Partnership and has won two of her three starts for just over $176,000 in prizemoney.
