The Australasian racing community will get its first look at Te Akau's newly-acquired European stayer Caliburn this weekend when he lines up in the Very Special Kids Pin and Win Plate (2500m) at Flemington.
The son of Camelot won two of his nine races before he was bought by TeAkau principal David Ellis.
"Earlier this year, Karyn [Fenton-Ellis, wife] and I decided to buy a European stayer and approached two of the best judges in the world, especially of European form, bloodstock agents Hubie de Burgh and Paul Moroney," Ellis said. "And, we purchased Caliburn from Andrew Balding's Newmarket stable after consultation with Paul Moroney."
Caliburn has been based at Flemington since mid-August, in the care of Craig Thornton, with trainer Jamie Richards making regular trips to oversee his progress.
"He's a lovely horse and a really nice horse to have around," Richards said. "He hasn't done anything wrong since arriving. He's worked up nicely and I was really pleased with his jump out there last Friday at Flemington.
"We gave him some work before the jump out, he went a nice half-mile and certainly ran through the line very well.
"He's a couple of months between runs, but we've done as much as we can with him and he'll present in good order. Whatever he does on Saturday he will improve on."
Richards said race day rider Damian Lane has been galloping Caliburn with former jumps jockey Thornton riding his other work.
