Aeliana (NZ) Makes Her Mark in Melbourne

Karaka graduate Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) announced her arrival in Melbourne with a commanding performance in Saturday’s A$500,000 Group Three Channel 9 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

Previously a two-time winner in Sydney including the Group Three Reginald Allen Quality (1400m), Aeliana has now earned A$487,275 from a five-start, three-win career. She was bought by Star Thoroughbreds for $180,000 from Rich Hill's Book 1 Karaka 2023 draft alongside co-breeders Nearco Stud Ltd.

Trainer Chris Waller took Aeliana to Melbourne to give her an opportunity to earn a shot at the Group One Thousand Guineas (1600m) on November 16. Her performance on Saturday proved that she belongs at that level.

Patiently ridden by James McDonald, Aeliana settled at the back of the field before producing a brilliant turn of foot in the straight. She raced to the lead and bounded clear, winning by three and a half lengths.

“Brilliant performance,” McDonald said. “She’s a promising filly. She executed well and came with a well-timed run, and she was too good.

“She actually sprung the lids beautifully, so she could have easily taken up a more prominent position. But I took her back and then chimed in after turning for home, and she was way too good. She’s a filly on an upward spiral.”

Waller is now looking forward to seeing Aeliana step up on to the Group One stage.

“She’s a talented filly,” he said. “She won well in Sydney last start, and she’s brought that Sydney form to Melbourne.

“The Thousand Guineas is a Group One for her own sex. She’s beaten the boys today, so she’ll go back to the girls next start. It's all part of a process to try and get a horse up in the grade each time they race, and she's made that right step forward today.”

The Carbine Club Stakes is also a Bonus Eligible Race for the inaugural NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie in March. In addition to the $3.5m base prize-money of the NZB Kiwi, an additional $1m in bonuses is up for grabs. To be eligible for a share of the bonus pool, a horse must win one of the Bonus Eligible Races and then finish first, second or third in the NZB Kiwi.