Another New Sire with Karaka Million Ambitions

First season sire Swiss Ace could find himself represented in the $1m Karaka Million after his son Staccato (NZ) (Swiss Ace) was a dominant winner of yesterday’s $7,000 The Kiwi Butch Supporting Life Education Trust Maiden 2YO at New Plymouth.

Staccato (NZ) topped the 2013 Karaka Festival Sale.

First season sires appear to have a strong hand in this year’s Karaka Million with freshman sires making up seven of the current top 20: Mastercraftsman (3), Thewayyouare (2), Tavistock (1) and Swiss Ace (1).

The Graeme and Debbie Rogerson trained Staccato had $4,050 in the bank from his previous five starts that included a second placing at his last start, also at New Plymouth.

Ridden by leading apprentice Rory Hutchings, the hot race-favourite established a gap on the field to score by 2.5 lengths from Jewel of the Naki (Eight Wonder) with a further two lengths back to third.

“He is a real tradesman, he is a really nice horse and was the top of last year’s Festival Sale,” commented Graeme Rogerson. “He has been a little bit unfortunate, a couple of little things have not gone his way.

“I thought he deserved to be winning the race yesterday and he is a good long shot in the Karaka Million, he has a bit of pace in him to put himself in the race. We will see how he comes through the race and talk to the owners then make up our mind on Wednesday.”

The win takes the gelding’s career earnings to $8,425 for owners P Manning, G A Rogerson MNZM and Gerry Harvey’s NZ Thoroughbred Holdings Ltd, placing him in 16 on the Order of Entry. With four horses placed above him already looking unlikely to take their place, Staccato would slot into 12th on the list.

Gerry Harvey and Graeme Rogerson look to have a strong hand in the Karaka Million field with another of the combination’s horses Serein (NZ) (Postponed) assured of a spot in the race as the fourth ranked horse.

“She ran a good race in the Eclipse Stakes and I think she has improved since then. I expect her to run pretty good, I really like her,” stated Rogerson.

Indications are that Kschessinska (10), It's About You (13), The Bounty Hunter (14) and Exalted Warrior (15) will not be nominated come next Tuesday, and Don't Change (17) also looks as though it will miss the race, meaning Coachella (19) is currently in the top 14 horses that will make the field.

At $125,000 Staccato was the highest priced Festival Sale yearling ever when purchased by Rogerson Bloodstock from Westbury Stud. Swiss Ace also sired the second highest price at the 2013 Karaka Festival Sale, a colt also purchased by Rogerson Bloodstock for $95,000. Swiss Ace has 38 Lots catalogued at Karaka 2014.

For the Order of Entry and other qualifying information visit www.nzb.co.nz. For tickets to the 2014 Karaka Million Twilight Meeting visit www.ellerslie.co.nz.