Displaying talent from the outset, Titahi Bay (3 f Spirit Of Boom – Aotearower, by Shamardal) recorded a stylish win in the $32,000 Latrobe City Council Maiden 1430 metres on Saturday at Traralgon (Victoria). A strong winner of both her trials in New Zealand, before transferring to the Te Akau stables at Cranbourne (Victoria), Titahi Bay did well for third after posting three-wide in her sole start as a two-year-old, and trialled well again before finding heavy ground too testing when resuming in August.

Ridden by apprentice jockey Luke Cartwright (a1.5), Titahi Bay worked early to race outside the leader, began extending stride to take control inside the 600m, and sustained a strong gallop to win. On Good4 footing, Titahi Bay ran 1430 metres in 1:26.4 and as favourite she paid $2.90 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote.

Following two thirds from three starts, Titahi Bay broke through at her fourth start for  the Fortuna Titahi Bay Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin).

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“It was a good, positive, ride by Luke (Cartwright), who is riding in great form for us, and following an interrupted preparation caused by wet tracks it was a great result,” said trainer Mark Walker. “It’s always good to get winners for John and Jessica Galvin, we’ve had such a good relationship over the years, they’re really supportive of the stable, and they’ve brought a lot of owners to racing. She’s always shown us plenty and I think she can only keep improving and grow in confidence with the win.”

Titahi Bay – 1st Career win Traralgon 1st November 2025
Luke Cartwright aboard

Titahi Bay was purchased by David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing for $100,000 at the 2024 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud.

By Champion Queensland Sire Spirit of Boom (Sequalo), Titahi Bay is from talented race mare Aotearower (Shamardal), who won four times to 1600 metres and Group Three placed, in turn out of top filly Kaatoon (Kaapstad), winner of the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m) and Lowland Stakes (Gr. 3, 2100m) among four victories to 2200 metres. Leading First Season Sire by winners in Australia, Spirit of Boom, has sired a huge number of winners, with wins approaching 1500 and 45 stakes wins.

Titahi Bay is the second winner for Aotearower, in addition to five-time winner Durova (Russian Revolution).

“That was an extremely nice win and to be fair she’s been knocking on the door,” Syndicate Manager John Galvin said. “We sent her to Australia because we thought a lot of her, after she’d won two trials in New Zealand. Mark Walker tipped her out for a break after she raced once as a two-year-old, as she’s more of a three-year-old type. Her lead-up run for third was good, in a fast run race, and she’s delivered today after doing a bit of work. We won’t get too excited just yet, but we think she’s got a bit of quality and pedigree to step up in distances in the autumn.”

Rider Luke Cartwright has the winning post in his sights

Two wins for Te Akau trainer Mark Walker at Traralgon, followed two wins the night beforehand at Cranbourne, including Lyrics ‘N’ Song (Written Tycoon), the first foal of Te Akau star mare Melody Belle, with whom Galvin had so much to do with.

“That was pleasing to see Lyrics ‘N’ Song win at her second start,” said John Galvin, who managed the Fortuna Racing Syndicate that owned the 14-time Group One winner, dual Horse of the Year, and Hall of Fame inductee. “She’s taken a bit of time, but Mark and his team have been very patient with her. She won impressively, two and a half lengths, so great for her, Melody Belle, the stable, and Mr Zhang at Yulong Stud. She was such a wonderful race mare, Melody Belle, and it’s great to see her produce a first foal with such good ability and I’m very pleased for Yulong.”

Titahi Bay was strapped by Cath Panozza.