Cup Day Win for Kaonic (NZ)

Karaka graduate Kaonic (NZ) (Savabeel) scored a black-type win on Australian racing’s biggest stage on Tuesday, taking out the A$150,000 Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup day at Flemington.

Ridden by Hong Kong-based jockey Zac Purton, the four-year-old stalked the leaders into the straight and surged to the lead inside the last 200 metres.

He was challenged late by his Chris Waller-trained stablemate Life Less Ordinary (Thewayyouare), but held on to win by a neck.

“He jumped brilliantly, put himself in a lovely spot and got into a great rhythm,” Purton said. “He towed me into the race really well and I was always very confident.”

Kaonic was bred by Lib Petagna’s JML Bloodstock Ltd and is out of the stakes-winning mare Fast Love (NZ) (Fastnet Rock).

Offered by Blandford Lodge at the 2016 Premier Sale, Kaonic sold for $425,000 to Waller’s bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster.

Tuesday’s win was Kaonic’s fifth from 12 starts and lifted his prize-money earnings to A$311,175 for owners Neville Morgan and David Devine.

Lot 162 in the 21-22 November Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs is a close relative to Kaonic.