Te Rapa’s Telegraph hero lines up in local showpiece
Richard Edmunds - Raceform • February 5th, 2026 11:58 AM • 4 min read
First Five stepped up to Group One level and claimed the biggest win of his career in the Telegraph at Trentham last start, but a victory in this Saturday’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint at Te Rapa against a quality trans-Tasman field would mean even more to his connections.
The super-talented son of Almanzor is trained locally at the Hamilton course by David Greene, who admits to some mixed feelings in the countdown to the $500,000 home-town feature.
“It’s hugely exciting to have an opportunity to compete in a race like this on your home track,” he said. “It’s going to be a big and probably very stressful day, but we’re really excited and looking forward to it.”
First Five brings undeniable form credentials into the 1400-metre weight-for-age showpiece. He won the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint in December over the same course and distance as the BCD Group Sprint, with runner-up Tuxedo going on to win the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic on Karaka Millions night at Ellerslie.
That was a fifth victory over 1400 metres for First Five, who then dropped back to 1200 metres for his brilliant Telegraph triumph.
“It was a special day down at Trentham last time and a great performance by the horse – a good string for him to add to his bow,” Greene said.
“He handled the trip and everything really well, especially considering it was his first major trip away from home. He’s done well since then. He galloped very strongly on the course this (Tuesday) morning and seems to be in pretty good shape going into the race.
“We think 1400 metres is his best trip. He’s had five starts over 1400 metres on good or firm tracks and has yet to be beaten. We think that’s his real sweet spot, and he’ll get that this weekend. We’re just really excited to see him lining up against a red-hot field. We can’t wait to see how he goes. Wiremu Pinn is going to ride him again.”
First Five will attempt to become the 11th horse in the last 40 years to complete the Telegraph-BCD Group Sprint double in the same season. That feat has previously been achieved by Courier Bay (1988), Tit For Taat (2003), Darci Brahma (2007), Seachange (2008), Mufhasa (2009 and 2011), Final Touch (2013), Sacred Star (2015), Avantage (2021) and Levante (2022).
On Tuesday, the TAB rated First Five a $10 sixth favourite in a BCD Group Sprint market headed by defending champion Here To Shock ($4.50) along with Pier ($4.50), Arkansaw Kid ($6), Savaglee ($6) and Tomodachi ($8).
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