Star NZ mare set for Australian debut

Te Akau Racing has a strong presence this Saturday, with runners competing across two countries.

Captured By Love, a Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner, will make her Australian debut in the Listed Desirable Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. The mare has won five of 11 starts in New Zealand, with several G1 placings. Her only unplaced run was in the G1 Railway under heavy rain.

Trainer Mark Walker says, “It has come up a pretty strong field… It is never a walk in the park over there, that’s for sure.”

Also racing in Australia, It’s A Wild Night will contest the Listed The Elms Handicap (1400m). The Group 1 performer will race first-up this prep.

In New Zealand, Te Akau Racing fields strong runners in the Matamata Stakes, including unbeaten colt Return To Conquer. The Sistema Stakes (G1) is the likely next target for the trio.

Mark Walker also has La Dorada, Marokopa Falls, and Born To Be Royal in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes, while What You Wish For heads to the Listed Kaimai Stakes.

Walker added, “It would be very special to win Lisa’s race… It would be an honour to win her race.”