Te Akau Ben gives rivals a real thumping
KUALA LUMPUR After winning six races from 22 starts in Singapore – including a victory in a Class 3 race (1,600m) on the final day of racing at Kranji on Oct 5, 2024 – Te Akau Ben has quickly transitioned into a force to be reckoned with in Malaysia.
Following a first-up fourth in a Metro A sprint over 1,100m four weeks ago, the Tavistock gelding quickly stepped it up with a seven-length thrashing of his rivals in another RM 62,000 (S$18,700) Metro A race at Sungai Besi on March 1, but over a more suitable trip of 1,600m this time.
It was an astonishing win, considering that he was up against the likes of last-start winners Pacific Victory and Family Delight, Xena, Mega Gems and Dragon Claw, but the seven-year-old clearly left his rivals reeling.
There was a line of three vying for the early lead. Te Akau Ben (Khaw Choon Kit) was tucked nicely on the rails, while Pacific Victory (Jerlyn Seow) sat in the middle and Dragon Claw (Winston Cheah Wei Wen) was on the outside.
Dragon Claw eventually took charge and led from Pacific Victory at the halfway mark. RS Dream (Aify Yahaya) followed in third while Te Akau Ben was eased back to fourth.
Pacific Victory headed Dragon Claw into the straight, with Te Akau Ben in close attendance.
The three horses looked to be running abreast at the 400m, but it was the Jason Ong-trained Pacific Victory that held a slight lead.
Formerly trained by New Zealand trainer Donna Logan in Singapore, Te Akau Ben ($18) finally gained the upper hand at the 200m and began to draw away, leaving the rest struggling in his wake.
Pacific Victory, who won twice from three starts in Malaysia, held on for second behind Te Akau Ben while the 2024 Group 1 Coronation Cup (1,600m) winner Mega Gems (Andre da Silva) was nosed out into third.
The winning time was 1min 34.5sec for the 1,600m on the long course, just 0.53sec outside of the course record set by Black Thorn in 2022.
New Zealand conditioner Simon Dunderdale was impressed.
“It was a strong win in a very fast time,” he said.
“Stepping up from 1,100m to 1,600m was a bit of a concern but Te Akau Ben showed his class.”
Khaw, who rode Te Akau Ben to fifth in a barrier trial on Jan 21, was also complimentary.
“My instruction was to jump well and get some cover,” said Khaw.
“Fortunately for me, some others were keen to go in front so I could take a box seat.
“Coming into the straight, we saw daylight and he just went. He won with plenty in hand and I am sure he will win more races.”
Purchased for NZ$115,000 at the 2019 Karaka National Yearling Sale, Te Akau Ben was placed in his only start in New Zealand before being transferred to Singapore.
Another former Kranji galloper, Legend Of Niagara, brought up a double for Dunderdale in quick succession.
After Te Akau Ben saluted, Legend Of Niagara ($23) took out the RM49,000 Class 4A event (1,400m) under jockey Iskandar Rosman.
The Niagara five-year-old wore down Pacific Warrior in the final stages to win by 2¼ lengths.
Last trained by British handler James Peters in Singapore, the Blazing Expectations Stable-owned gelding won two races from 11 starts at Kranji, but opened his account immediately in his first race in Kuala Lumpur. SELANGOR TURF CLUB/TURFONLINE
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