Time out for Te Akau’s new Group One stars

Initial discussions following Saturday’s Group One double by Seize The Day (I Am Invincible) and Belle Cheval (NZ) (Savabeel) have confirmed that both Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained stars will head to the spelling paddock ahead of new season campaigns.

That had already been established before Belle Cheval’s nail-biting win in the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill, whereas immediate options for Seize The Day remained open after his runaway performance in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham.

“Belle Cheval has already been floated down to our Cranbourne stable and she’ll spend a couple of days there just trotting out to familiarise her before she comes back into work to prepare for the spring,” Walker said.

“Her owners David Archer and Diane Wright like the idea of staying in Australia instead of kicking off her season back in New Zealand, mainly because those spring tracks back home are often so wet.

“At this stage her main early target will be the Golden Eagle in Sydney, which will allow plenty of time for the spell she’s earned and then have a steady build-up.”

The Golden Eagle (1500m), which was won last year by unbeaten sensation Autumn Glow, is scheduled for Randwick on October 31.

Restricted to four-year-olds with a stake of A$10 million, the Golden Eagle has also been earmarked for fellow New Zealand filly Well Written (Written Tycoon), who maintained her unbeaten record with a narrow $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) win over Belle Cheval, and star Victorian filly Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior), the last-start winner of the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m).

Discussions between Te Akau principals and an ownership group that includes Seize The Day’s Hunter Valley breeders Yarraman Park have led to the decision to spell him rather than opt for a possible late season target in Australia.

Walker’s first Australian Group One training success was the Gr.1 TJ Smith Classic (1600m) in 2005 with star colt Darci Brahma (NZ) (Danehill), while Belle Cheval’s weekend success was his first at elite level in Sydney.

“It’s a massive thrill for everyone involved to win Group Ones on the same day at Trentham and Randwick,” Walker said. “I’ve been training for coming up 30 years and it’s a personal career highlight.

“Especially with Belle Cheval, who did her final serious work at Matamata before flying to Sydney, it was a Team New Zealand effort that together we made happen.”

Walker added that discussions will also be on-going around plans for older stable members Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award), Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor) and Captured By Love (Written Tycoon), who were unplaced in Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), and Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel), who was unplaced in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m).

“Damask Rose is coming home and we’ll give her a thorough checking over before we decide what’s next for her,” Walker said. “Captured By Love is also only a four-year-old, whereas the other two mares are rising six and we’ll need to decide whether they have another season or go to auction as broodmares instead.”