Aussies Eye Up Karaka Million

The 2012 Karaka Million will see two Australian trained horses make their return to New Zealand shores on Saturday as they target New Zealand's richest race, the $1 million Karaka Million.

The John Sadler trained filly Sell in May (NZ) (Starcraft x Savannah Rain) and the Anthony Freedman trained Ockham's Razor (NZ) (Any Suggestion x Shadow Ray) are both booked to cross the Tasman, with the pair planning to eye up their new surroundings next Tuesday morning (24 January) at 7am at Ellerslie.

Sell in May was the first of the duo to make the Karaka Million Order of Entry when she won a two-year-old fillies event at Flemington on December 10, running the last 600 metres in a hot 33.32 seconds. The victory gave Sell in May NZ$56,172 in stakes which took her straight to the top of the Karaka Million Order of Entry.

"We are not known as a two-year-old stable but we were lucky with the filly because every time we have lifted the bar she has just gone up that little bit," said stable general manager Troy Corstens.

"It's really nice when you go in expecting not a lot and they come out and do that - it's a really nice surprise."

Sister Havana become the first Australian trained two-year-old to win the Karaka Million in 2010

Sell in May will be out to emulate the deeds of a previous Australian raider, the Liam Birchley trained Sister Havana (General Nediym), who became the first filly to win the race in 2010. Sell in May is one of four fillies currently in the top ten on the Order of Entry.

A $100,000 purchase by Balmerino Racing Partnership from Highview at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2011 Karaka Premier Sale, Sell in May will go into the Karaka Million with just the one start to her name and will be ridden by Australian jockey Ben Melham.

Ockham's Razor is one of two Any Suggestion two-year-olds currently in the top 14 on the Karaka Million Order of Entry. The colt made his race debut in the Thomas North Plate at Caulfield earlier this month and was forced to settle for second with an eye-catching finish after a tough run in transit.

"It was a good sound run on debut," commented Lee Freedman, Anthony Freedman's brother. "He was a bit green and didn't have everything go his way but it was a good performance."

"The horse is coming along very well since his run and he will have his first look at Ellerslie next Tuesday. The million dollar stake is pretty substantial so we will be there to have a good crack at the race."

The Thomas North Plate carried a stake of A$70,000 and Ockham's Razor's second placing saw him earn NZ$16,575, enough to take him to fifth place on the Karaka Million Order of Entry.

A $170,000 purchase by Bahen Bloodstock from Rich Hill Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2011 Premier Sale, Ockham's Razor also has a full sister in the 2012 Select Sale at Lot 1034.

Nominations for the Karaka Million close Tuesday 24 January at noon and, with just three races to go before nominations close, there will be a number of two-year-olds lining up in New Zealand over the next few days with juvenile races in Tarakani ($5,000 stake) tomorrow and Counties ($10,000 stake) on Saturday.

Saturday will also see the running of the Group 2 Little Avondale Stud Wakefield Challenge Stakes with Karaka Million hopes Deakes (Shaft), Liberating (Iffraaj), Hogwarts Express (Elusive City), Mt Eden (Edenwold) and On Yer Feet (Snitzel) all in the field.

With first place taking home $50,000, second $16,000 and third $8,000 in the Group 2 event, these horses all have a live chance of gaining late entry into the Karaka Million.

The Karaka Million Order of Entry is based on prize money earned and the field is limited to a maximum of 14 starters. To view the current Order of Entry, click here.

The barrier draw for the Karaka Million will be announced live on Radio Trackside by Peter Earley and Butch Castles at 12.10pm next Wednesday 25 January.