Stage ‘N’ Screen stars at Flemington

Trans-Tasman syndicators Te Akau Racing wasted little time in opening their account for the 2026-27 season, with their very first runner Stage ‘N’ Screen (NZ) (Ace High) capturing the A$130,000 Horses’ Birthday Handicap (1410m) at Flemington on Saturday.

The daughter of Ace High trialled three times in New Zealand as a two-year-old, but since then has been based across the Tasman in trainer Mark Walker’s Cranbourne stable.

She showed bright promise as a spring three-year-old with a debut win at Seymour and a fourth placing in the Listed Amanda Elliott (1400m) at Flemington in only her second start. Her third appearance was in the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m), in which she finished ninth but only three and three-quarter lengths behind the winner Another Prophet (Brazen Beau). She went on to add another two wins to her CV in May and December of last year.

Saturday’s Benchmark 78 handicap was the third start this time in for the freshly turned five-year-old, and she hinted that there could be a successful spring in store.

Stage ‘N’ Screen was ridden by expat Kiwi apprentice Logan Bates and took up a handy position in fourth along the rail.

She appeared to be travelling well coming up to the home turn, and all Bates needed in the straight was a way through. He got that when the leader Takeko (Saxon Warrior) drifted away from the fence with 350m to run, and Stage ‘N’ Screen showed a smart turn of foot when Bates pushed the button.

She burst to the front at the 250m, then kept finding to hold out the late challenge of Cherish Me (Brazen Beau) in a tight finish.

“Credit to Mark and his team, they had her beautifully prepared,” Bates said. “She looked amazing in the yard and gave me a lovely feel going to the gates.

“Even though she was only sixth at Sandown last start, I thought it was actually a really good run. The track was quite chopped out, which didn’t suit her, but she rounded the race off nicely.

“Everything went to plan today. We had a beautiful run in behind, and then just had to bide our time and wait for a run. Once the leader rolled off the fence, she quickened well and was very tough to the line.

“I was probably a bit surprised by how quickly she stepped at the start. She’s had some trouble in the barriers in the past and has always been quite hot, but she’s starting to come of age now. Mark and his team have done a wonderful job. It’s great to get another win for Mark and these connections.”

Walker was pleased to have started off the new season on a winning note.

“She was our first runner for the new season, so it’s great to get underway with a win,” he said.

“This horse has just been a bit of a challenge mentally, but Ben (Gleeson, assistant trainer) and the team have got her going really well.

“We were sweating on a run up the inside, but she was very good once she got through.

“She ran fourth at stakes level as a three-year-old, so it would be good if we could do better than that this time in. She’s bred to go 2000m, and we did try that in her last campaign. We’ll get her home, see how she pulls up from this and go from there.”

Stage ‘N’ Screen has had 17 starts for four wins, seven placings and A$209,950 in stakes for the Te Akau Centre Stage Racing Partnership.

She was offered by Kiltannon Stables at the 2023 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, where Te Akau principal Sir David Ellis bought her for $200,000.

Stage ‘N’ Screen was bred by Trevor Luke and Perrin Farm Ltd. She is by Rich Hill Stud stallion Ace High and is out of the O’Reilly mare Inthespotlight (NZ).

Herself unraced, Inthespotlight has made her mark as a broodmare with three winners from four foals to race, including Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) placegetter Japanese Emperor (NZ) (Satono Aladdain).