Move To Strike scores in Sires’ Produce Stakes
Te Akau Racing produced the goods once again in a major two-year-old event when the highly touted Move To Strike (I Am Invincible) came with a powerful late burst to capture Saturday’s Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Trentham.
The son of I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), who was purchased by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for $525,000 at the Gold Coast in 2023, had been unbeaten in three trials before winning on his race day debut at Te Rapa back in December last year.
A narrow defeat by stablemate Bellatrix Star (Star Witness) on New Year’s Day at Pukekohe followed, before a puzzling run for fifth in the Matamata Slipper (Gr 3, 1200m) on his home track in February was explained when tests revealed he was found to be suffering from a mild heart arrhythmia.
Given a break by his trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, Move To Strike stripped a fit horse for the last Group 1 event of the local racing season, and lived up to those looks with a comprehensive performance.
Billy Pinn had him back a clear last in the early stages as Red Sea (Pierata) set up a solid pace in front, before Pinn began to circle the field on the home turn.
Stablemate Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) hit the front at the 250 metres but Move To Strike was just cantering at this point as he quickly extended to full stride and raced past his rivals to win by a neat length from Red Sea, who fought back bravely to fight off Captured By Love for the runner-up position.
Bergerson was beaming as he greeted the horse after the race.
“We’ve always thought the world of him as he has always been a very lovely horse,” Bergerson said.
“He paraded lovely today, and Bill [Pinn] was very patient on him as we thought we would have to be neutral in midfield early on with his wider barrier draw.
“He was very good late and although he did have that blip with his heart at Matamata, we were really happy with him since, as he is a top-quality colt.
“We had run an ECG test and given him a slow build up before trialling him after that issue. Opie [Bosson] rode him and gave him the tick of approval and his trackwork on Tuesday was top notch.
“We were going in quietly confident although respectful of the other runners, but he is a very good colt and he showed that today.”
Pinn was also rapt with the winning performance.
“He travelled really well, but he doesn’t breathe that well, so I just wanted to keep him relaxed,” he said.
“He has a great turn of foot and is a superstar I think, and next time in I think he can win Group 1 after Group 1 as he has such a good attitude and an electric turn of foot.
“I would like to thank Te Akau Racing for the opportunities they are giving me and after missing most of the major racing through being suspended I’m just relieved to get it done today.”
Move To Strike (2 c I Am Invincible – No Evidence Needed by Shamardal), who became the first juvenile elite-level winner for his sire with Saturday’s victory, is raced by the Te Akau 2023 Stallion Breeding Syndicate and has now won over $340,000 for his connections from just four starts.