The Gr.3 Pukekohe Traders Counties Cup won by Sacred Falls

Midway through the Gr.3 Pukekohe Traders Counties Cup race, a torrential downpour pelted the track and the riders, leaving them covered in mud. One of the best 3YO fillies from the previous year, Self Obsession, had taken the lead, with her stablemate Aromatic, Viktor Vegas, and Zee Falls in hot pursuit. Aromatic, a grey mare trained by Mark Walker, and Craig Grylls, the leader in the Jockeys' premiership, prevailed in a 150-meter race by a wide margin.

Walker conceded that the rainstorm that before the race likely aided the victor. She doesn't have the best of feet, and the whole barn has worked relentlessly to keep her on the track, so the recent rain definitely helped, but he gave credit to everyone back at the stable. Both mares did us proud, but especially Self Obsession, who put out a valiant effort. At this point, I expect both of them to compete in the Waikato Cup.

The Gr.3 Taranaki Cup winner Vickezzchardonnay is the dam of Aromatic, who was purchased by Te Akau Racing's boss David Ellis for $160,000 in Book 1 at Karaka in 2018 from the Milan Park draught. For her owner, the Te Akau Sacred Wine Syndicate, she has won four of twenty races. She has also placed second ten times, earning $185,000 in prize money.