Akuta (NZ) Heads Stunning Line Up of Graduates in 2YO Emerald
4 June 2021
Akuta (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) heads a star-studded line up of NZB Standardbred graduates while he attempts to cap a brilliant season with a victory in the Group One $100,000 McMillian Equine Feeds 2YO Emerald (1609m) this Sunday.
Incredibly, 12 of the 13 runners that will compete in the lucrative Cambridge Harness Jewels feature were sourced from NZB Standardbred sales.
Akuta heads the talented 2YO Emerald field as the dominant favourite after brilliant wins in the $140,000 Group One Garrard’s Sires Stakes Series Final (1980m) and the $200,000 Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million Two-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Final (1980m), both at Addington last month.
In both events Akuta has been chased home in second placing by his stablemate and fellow graduate Cosmic Major (NZ) (Art Major).
Trainer Hayden Cullen admits Akuta definitely deserves his favourite’s tag but he is far from ready to write off the winning chances of Cosmic Major.
“On their last two runs you have to pick Akuta on top but Cosmic Major is a neat wee horse too and he is working really well,” Cullen said.
“You never know what might happen in these races but you would definitely have to say Akuta deserves to be the top pick of our three.”
Cullen also starts Franco Mac (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) in Sunday’s Group One event.
Akuta was purchased by All Stars Racing Stables for $170,000 at the 2020 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch from Broadfield Lodge.
Cosmic Major was a $37,500 purchase by Phil and Glenys Kennard at the 2020 National Yearling Sale in Auckland from Breckon Farms’ draft.
A scintillating performance at the Harness Jewels trials has You’re So Fine (NZ) (Always B Miki) ready to make an impact at the Harness Jewels.
The Brett Gray trained colt faces a big task after he and driver Nathan Williamson drew unfavourably in barrier 11.
You’re So Fine produced the fastest last 400 metres at the Harness Jewels trials in Cambridge last weekend, making it impossible to rule the pacer out as a winning contender.
The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan trained pairing of Montana D J (NZ) (Captaintreacherous) and Major Perry (NZ) (Art Major) also look set to make a big impact in Sunday’s race.
The Group One McMillian Equine Feeds 2YO Emerald (1609m) will be run as Race 6 at 2:40pm on Sunday 6 June at Cambridge Raceway.
2021 2YO (Colts and Geldings) Emerald Field
| Barrier | Horse | Driver | Trainer | Sale | Purchaser |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sugar Apple | Andrew Drake (J) | Ray Green | 2020 Auckland Yearling Sale, $30,000 | Lincoln Farms Bloodstock |
| 2 | My Ultimate Chevron | Gavin Smith | Gavin Smith | 2019 Auckland All Age Sale, $13,000 | Lake Brunner Syndicate |
| 3 | Franco Mac | Jonny Cox | Hayden Cullen | 2020 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $60,000 | All Stars Racing Stables |
| 4 | Major Perry | Scott Phelan | Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan | 2020 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $160,000 | Barry Purdon |
| 5 | Akuta | Mark Purdon | Hayden Cullen | 2020 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $170,000 | All Stars Racing Stables |
| 6 | Cosmic Major | Natalie Rasmussen | Hayden Cullen | 2020 Auckland Yearling Sale, $37,500 | PI & GJ Kennard Bloodstock |
| 7 | Mr Ibiza | Blair Orange | Steve Dolan | 2019 All Age Sale, $4,000 | L Hollis & S Robertson |
| 8 | Mercury Rising | James Stormont | Frank Cooney & Tate Hopkins | ||
| Second Line | |||||
| 9 | Montana D J | Zachary Butcher | Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan | 2020 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $175,000 | Montana Park |
| 10 | Arden's Horizon | David Butcher | Ray Green | 2020 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $55,000 | Lincoln Farms Bloodstock |
| 11 | You're So Fine | Nathan Williamson | Brett Gray | 2020 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $14,000 | Mr BR Gray |
| 12 | Classy Operator | Dylan Ferguson | Graeme Rogerson | 2020 Auckland Yearling Sale, $70,000 | Rogerson Bloodstock |