Don't Miss Tonight's Karaka Million

The grand opening for Karaka 2011 - the Karaka Million - is now only hours away with all fourteen two-year-olds set and ready to run for New Zealand's richest two-year-old prize.

Tonight's twilight meeting at Ellerslie will celebrate the fourth running of the Karaka Million with a terrific line up of two-year-olds, and it will also feature the second running of the $200,000 NZB Insurance Karaka 3YO Mile.

A fantastic opportunity, the Karaka Million allows buyers from all around the world an opportunity to come to Karaka and buy a yearling, and then have a chance to run for $1 million in 12 months time. The race has become one of the features of the Karaka Sales and is a great opportunity for NZB to welcome vendors, buyers and guests to Karaka, and enjoy the world renowned New Zealand Bloodstock hospitality.

Gates will open at Ellerslie Racecourse at 4pm with the first race set to jump at 5.09pm and the Karaka Million at 7.13pm. The six race card will be followed by 'The Bird-Cage Bash' with a live band playing and plenty of entertainment on offer for all.

The Karaka Premier Sale kicks off tomorrow at 11am with the first of 1622 yearlings set to go under the hammer.

The Karaka Premier Sale features over 30 full or half siblings to Group 1 winners including Maldivian, Darci Brahma, Gee I Jane and Zabrasive, and progeny from 20 Group 1 winning dams including Seachange, Lashed, Grand Archway, Surprize Surprize and Foxwood.

Also on offer will be 33 yearlings from the young boom sire High Chaparral, 31 yearlings from New Zealand's Champion Sire Zabeel, and progeny from other leading stallions including Encosta de Lago, Fastnet Rock, Pentire, Pins, O'Reilly, Redoute's Choice, Starcraft and many more.

Coverage for the Karaka Premier Sale will be brought to you live on Sky Sports 3 from 10.30am on Monday 31 January and Tuesday 1 February. The Select Sale will run from 2 - 4 February with the Festival Sale on 6 & 7 February.