A Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) tilt has been confirmed for Te Akau Shark.
Te Akau Shark will head to the Cox Plate Photo: Trish Dunell
The Jamie Richards-trained gelding finished runner-up to Kolding in Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and his connections have elected to head straight towards the Moonee Valley feature on October 26.
“He likes his races being spaced a little bit,” trainer Jamie Richards said. “He’s not the best of eaters and he is a little bit day-to-day with his soundness, but we have got him well under control now.
“We would certainly like to take him down to Victoria and show him off.”
Te Akau Shark was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis out of Lyndhurst Farm’s 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs Sale for $230,000.
Part-owned by Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks captain Paul Gallen, Te Akau Shark has won five of his nine career starts including the Gr.2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) and Gr.3 Red Badge Spring Sprint (1400m).
