Counting Down to Karaka Million
29 December 2014
The count-down is on for New Zealand’s richest race - $1m Karaka Million – taking place on January 25 at Ellerslie Racecourse.
With an outstanding class of two-year-olds lined up to try their hand in the Karaka Million, there will be fierce competition out as the field closes in just over three weeks.
The Order of Entry is determined by the prizemoney earned leading up to the race and with a field of just 14 horses eligible to run the race, the Order of Entry is starting to take shape.
Leading the Order of Entry is Showboy (NZ) (Showcasing) after taking victory in the Group 2 Golden Homes Wakefield Challenge Stakes at Wellington in early December. Trained by Pukekohe-based Nigel Tiley, he sits on a total stakes of $68,000.
Second on the leader-board is the unbeaten Windborne (NZ) (Darci Brahma) trained in Matamata by Jason Bridgman. This two-year-old filly claimed her place on the leaderboard in the Listed Murdoch Newell Stakes with a total stakes of $43,250.
Next is Maritimo (NZ) (Pins), trained by Graeme and Debbie Rogerson, who claimed her third place with a 4.5 length victory in the Listed Sweet Orange at Highview Wellesley Stakes in October. This win increased her stakes to $37,500.
Following the top three horses is Dal Cielo (NZ) (Per Incanto), China Silk (Hard Spun), Hardline (NZ) (Showcasing), Strata Lady (NZ) (Stratum), Platinum Express (NZ) (Showcasing), Outlaw Kate (Exceed and Excel) and Peach Cove (NZ) (Buffalo Man) and more.
This weekend’s races saw two more horses mark their spot on the leaderboard with Dal Cielo and The Justice League (NZ) (I Am Invincible) both winning races at Ellerslie.
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman trained colt was an impressive winner of the DHL 2YO 1100m at Ellerslie’s Premier meeting on Boxing Day. Winning by 0.2 lengths, the son of Per Incanto has enhanced his winnings to $27,500, leaping 15 places to fourth position on the Order of Entry.
The Justice League did not waste any time when making his racing debut at Ellerslie on Sunday. Stablemate to Showboy, the two-year-old colt instantly placed himself in 15th position with an exceptional performance in the Maiden 2YO 1200m for trainer Nigel Tiley. The Justice League powered to victory by 4.5 lengths earning $5,900 in prizemoney.
The next two-year-old race is the Group 3 $70,000 Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes (1200m) taking place at Ellerslie Racecourse on New Year’s Day. Horses nominated for this race include Maritimo, Windborne, Showboy, China Silk and Iff So Happens (NZ) (Iffraaj).
Below is the top 15 2YOs in the Order of Entry:
| Order | Name | Breeding | Trainer | Sale | Price | Vendor | Purchaser | Total Stakes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Showboy | Ch. G Showcasing x Shades of Silk | N W Tiley | K3 | $15,000 | Haunui Farm | Nigel Tiley | $68,000 |
| 2 | Windborne | B. F Darci Brahma x Sweet Dreams Baby | J W Bridgman | K2 | $100,000 | Goodwood Stud | Fortuna Syndications | $43,250 |
| 3 | Maritimo | B. F Pins x Miracle Miss | G A Rogerson | K1 | $200,000 | Waikato Stud Ltd | Rogerson B/stock | $37,500 |
| 4 | Dal Cielo | Br. G Per Incanto x Cent From Heaven | M P Baker | K2 | $95,000 | Little Avondale Stud | Bruce Perry B/stock | $27,500 |
| 5 | China Silk | B. F Hard Spun x Uno Sayuri | Ms D Guy | S.I | $9,000 | Curraghmore Stud | NZB as Agent | $14,900 |
| 6 | Hardline | Ch. G Showcasing x Midnight Breaker | L F Birchley | K2 | $130,000 | Hallmark Stud | LB Racing | A$12,800 |
| 7 | Strata Lady | B. F Stratum x Estermate | L A O'Sullivan | K1 | $40,000 | Cambridge Stud | Wexford Stables | $12,500 |
| 8 | Platinum Express | Br. F Showcasing x My Other Woman | Ms L Latta | K2 | $20,000 | Haunui Farm | Lisa Latta Racing | $11,850 |
| 9 | Outlaw Kate | Ch. F Exceed and Excel x She's Got Gears | L J Molloy | K1 | $150,000 | Ascot Farm | Phill Cataldo B/stock | $11,200 |
| 10 | Peach Cove | B. F Buffalo Man x Tennisciti Belle | A J Brown | K3 | $5,500 | Totara Park Stud | NZB as agent | $9,875 |
| 11 | Jacqueric | B. C Beneteau x Hey Pretty Katie | J G Symons & S Laxon | K2 | $50,000 | K. R. & A. J. Mahoney | JSL Racing | A$9,150 |
| 12 | Gotham | B. G Onemorenomore x Krysia | J L McVean | K1 | $65,000 | Windsor Park Stud | McVean Racing | $8,800 |
| 13 | Selfie | B. G Thewayyouare x Miss Brownie | R D Collett | K3 | $40,000 | Windsor Park Stud | Robt Dawe Agency | $8,175 |
| 14 | Billy Mojo | B. C Mastercraftsman x British Dame | S B Marsh | K2 | $60,000 | Windsor Park Stud | Go Racing Ltd | $6,875 |
| 15 | The Justice League | B. C I Am Invincible x L'Artiste | N W Tiley | K2 | $50,000 | Lyndhurst Farm | Nigel Tiley | $5,900 |
To view the full Order of Entry, click here.
The Karaka Million Twilight Meeting at Ellerslie on 25 January also features the $100,000 Karaka Million with current Group 1 New Zealand Derby favourite Volkstok’n’barrell (NZ) (Tavistock) one of the high profile horses heading towards the race.
Any horse sold or passed in at a New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series is eligible to compete in the newly introduced $100,000 Karaka Stayers Cup in 2015, which will be the second running of the race.
For more information on the Karaka Million Series, click here.