Antonio Lombardo Leads Charge for 2011 Karaka Million

2011 Karaka Million Order of Entry leader Antonio Lombardo strengthened his position at the top of the table with a win in the 100% Barrells 2YO (880m) at Ruakaka on Saturday.

Placed second in the Danfive @ Grangewilliam 800 at Wanganui a week earlier, Antonio Lombardo made sure of it in his next attempt with a convincing three-length victory ahead of the Jason Bridgman trained French Connection (Volksraad x Plaza Doree).

This weekend performance by the Pins colt has built on a strong start to the two-year-old season for trainer Peter McKay, who also boasts last week's winner Alvesta in his stable. McKay believes Alvesta is on track for a two-year-old race at Caulfield early next month but, with the talented General Nediym colt ineligible for the Karaka Million, he does not pose a threat to stable mate Antonio Lombardo's campaign for the one million dollar prize.

There are now five two-year-olds with stakes to their name in the fight to make the fourteen-horse Karaka Million field. �French Connection is $6,775 behind Antonio Lombardo while Perfect Katch (Perfectly Ready x Al Katcha), Ellatain (Captain Rio x Chloella) and Fort Lincoln (Charge Forward x Belle Toujours) also have money on the board.

Full details of the calendar of two-year-old races leading up to the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting can be found here on the New Zealand Bloodstock website, together with the up-to-date Order of Entry.