From a family that Te Akau has great affinity with, Malborough Bay (2 g Darci Brahma – Spin ‘N Grin) debuted with victory in the $12,000 Matamata Veterinary Services Maiden 2YO 1200 metres on 13 May at Matamata.

Malborough Bay had produced a well timed finish to win a trial 19 April at Taupo, and overcame an awkward draw (9) on raceday at Matamata to frank his trials performance.

Ridden by Lisa Allpress, Malborough Bay was posted three wide in third, drew to a narrow advantage 200m out and exuded plenty of tenacity to score by a long neck.

“I was really happy with him,” Allpress said. “He jumped relatively well and even though I was three deep with no cover I just felt he was more comfortable in that part of the track. He cornered really well, came into it nicely and was strong to the line, so it was just a really nice effort.”

“It was a tough effort because he had to race three wide,” said trainer Mark Walker, after saddling the 15^thindividual two-year-old winner for the stable this season. “I trained Spin ‘N Grin in her racing career – she was a really good gilly who won thr Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie – she achived a lot in her short racing career and has been a prolific boodmare.”

On Soft5 footing, Malborough Bay ran 1200 metres in 1:11.6, last 600m in 36.1, and returned $8.10 & $2.70 on NZ TAB tote.

Click HERE to see the race replay

MARLBOROUGH BAY – wins on debut – Matamata 13th May 2022

Fortuna Racing also had the pleasure of racing Group 1 placed three-quarter sister Burgundy Belle (Burgundy), winner of four races, who is now in foal to exciting young sire Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt), while Spin ‘N Grin has now left six individual winners of 18 races, including Group 1 and Group 3 placed Éclair Lightning (Darci Brahma).

Fortuna Director John Galvin was on course with a very large contingent of the Ownership Group “That was a great outcome for this horse” he said, “Jamie Richards and now Mark Walker as Trainer have a lot of time for him and have labelled him a potential NZ 2000 Guineas type. Fortuna has had a lot of success with the progeny of Darci Brahma over the years and we have also had a great relationship with the progeny of Spin ‘N Grin,” Galvin said. “Burgundy Belle had a wonderful career and we also enjoyed success in Singapore with two of her sons, Major Tom and Jack’s Secret. Lovely ride by Lisa, she took a risk in keeping him 3 wide, but correctly assessed the state of the tracxk in making that decision.”

Bred by Karyn Fenton-Ellis and Glenn & Cathie Holmes Malborough Bay was acquired by John Galvin  in a private sale for $80,000. He is raced by the Fortuna Marlborough Bay Syndicate, an ownership group consisting of 55 individuals.

Marlborugh Bay was strapped by Reece Trumper