Impressive Return To Conquer doubles unbeaten tally
Te Akau Racing’s million-dollar colt Return To Conquer (2 c Snitzel – Vaujany by Lonhro) delivered again in Saturday’s Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (Gr 3, 1200m) at Ellerslie, improving his unblemished record to four trials and two raceday appearances.
The son of Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) was bought by David Ellis for AU$1.3 million at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in January of last year.
Having built up plenty of pre-debut hype with three impressive trial wins between August and October, the colt then romped to victory by two and a half lengths as a $1.20 favourite in the Counties Challenge Stakes (Listed, 1100m) at Pukekohe on November 23. The third placegetter in that race, Vega For Luck (Lucky Vega), went on to finish second in last Saturday’s Karaka Millions 2YO (RL, 1200m).
Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson held Return To Conquer back from the races for the next ten weeks, keeping him up to the mark with a trial win against older horses over 1000 metres at Matamata on January 14.
Saturday’s $120,000 Colin Jillings Classic marked his eagerly anticipated return to action, and Return To Conquer lived up to his red-hot $1.20 favouritism again, beating Tajana (Darci Brahma) by a half-length with a further 0.8 lengths back to Vittoria (Per Incanto) in third.
Raced by the Te Akau 2024 Stallion Breeding Syndicate, Return To Conquer has now had two starts for two black-type wins and has banked $132,250.
“It didn’t all go his way today,” Sam Bergerson said. “He went back, then had to go forward again. It looked like he loafed around a little bit when he got to the front in the straight.
“He’s a lovely horse going forward. Fair play to David, going out and buying these types of colts on spec. It’s not cheap.
“But he’s a beautiful animal who has it all in front of him. He’ll take plenty of improvement from this and will strip a lot fitter next time.”
Saturday’s 2YO Classic was formerly run at New Plymouth, but was this year relocated to Ellerslie and named in honour of Colin Jillings. The Hall of Fame horseman, who died in 2022 at the age of 91, played a key role in David Ellis and Mark Walker’s career development.
“It’s such an honour to win the first running of an event which has been named after a true legend,” Ellis said.
“Colin was one of my very best, life-long friends. I greatly treasured his advice, loyalty, wisdom and friendship over many decades from the time he met me as a young man. In fact, he actually introduced Karyn [Fenton-Ellis] and me at the Trentham races.
“Mark [Walker] also looked up to Colin, who always freely shared his training expertise and experience with him.”