Highly regarded mare a top Kaimai prospect
Savabeel’s emerging daughter Top Shelf (NZ) (Savabeel) is rated a Group One contender in waiting by Te Akau and, in the meantime, is primed to post the first black-type victory of her career on her home turf on Saturday.
The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained five-year-old will step out in the Listed Fairview Matamata Kaimai Stakes (1600m) off the back of an impressive win when resuming at Ellerslie.
The stable also has honest performer What You Wish (NZ) (Embellish) For in the main event on the card, but rate Top Shelf as their top seed.
“I believe you’ll see her racing at the elite level by the back end of the season and What You Wish For is probably a couple of lengths off Top Shelf,” assistant trainer Reece Trumper said.
A sister to Te Akau’s former multiple Group winner Brando (NZ) (Savabeel), Top Shelf has twice been stakes placed and has improved since her last-start success.
“She was really good first-up and we expected a big effort, she didn’t get the right run in transit but was the superior horse and she’s come on since,” Trumper said.
“Her work last Saturday was very pleasing and again on Tuesday. She’s up to the mark and couldn’t be better placed on the minimum (53kg), hence Hayley (Hassman) takes the ride.
“The draw (17) is a bit sticky, but in her last race she was off speed and then charged and when she previously won a Rating 75, she led up and found a good kick, so she’s versatile.”
What You Wish For, who won the Kaimai in 2025 when it was run over 2000m, finished off strongly for second when resuming at Te Rapa.
“He couldn’t have been more impressive first-up, it was a good run and he gets the blinkers back on,” Trumper said.
“You can’t discount his chances, he’s got a soft barrier (five) and Craig (Grylls) rides him well, so it wouldn’t surprise to see him win, but he does have to back-up and do it the tough way.
“He’s a very honest horse and he continues to get better with age, as the Embellishs can do.”
Te Akau will also have two strong chances to kick the day off with No Curfew (NZ) (Vanbrugh) and Aquadream (Written Tycoon) in the Colchester Engineering 3YO (1400m).
“No Curfew was impressive when second on debut and the distance will suit him, we also like Aquadream, who is a progressive filly,” Trumper said.
“We hold her in high regard and have got her in the 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m).”
Quality four-year-olds Avantaggia (Wootton Bassett) and Thumbelina (NZ) (Per Incanto) will open their spring campaigns in the Ancroft Developments Handicap (1200m).
“Avantaggia is coming up well but will possibly need the run, she’s got a good second and third-up record and certainly can get to black type level,” Trumper said.
“We hold Thumbelina in high regard as well, she has come back more physically and mentally mature and we do expect to see her at stakes level pretty early on in her season.”
Meanwhile at Hawera, the stable has also been pleased with Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor) ahead of her first-up tilt at the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
“She’s very forward after two trials and her work on Tuesday was good, and she also gets the blinkers back on,” Trumper said.
“She should roll forward from the draw (seven) and Wiremu (Pinn) has a good record on her.
“He was beaten a lip on her in a Group One (Thorndon Mile, 1600m) and won a Group Two (Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, 1400m).
“We’re very pleased he’s going to Hawera to ride her, I know he was offered a lot of good rides at Matamata, and this shows the confidence he has in her.”
He will also be aboard Altari (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Johnny Neil Builders Handicap (14000m).
“He’s coming up really well and he’s got to overcome a sticky draw (12), but he won fresh-up last season and his work’s been very good, he’s flying,” Trumper said.
