Feature Race Spoils to Karaka Graduates
15 June 2009
Karaka graduates won feature race events held in Australia, Hong Kong and Malaysia over the weekend with victories in the Group 3 HKJC Premier Cup, the Listed Ipswich Cup, and the Listed Piala Emas Sultan Selangor.
In Queensland on Saturday, Our Lukas (Generous - Parfore, by Gold Brose) began the rich race haul in the $200,000 Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) where the five-year-old gelding ran out a comfortable winner over fourteen rivals on a track rated dead.
His one and three-quarter length victory with Larry Cassidy aboard came after leading for most of the journey unchallenged, gradually increasing the pace of the race before asking his rivals to sprint with him before the home straight. His final 600m in 34.98 seconds ensured that no competitor would catch him this day, finally beating Macknuckle (Moon Rocket) and Jujulio (Iglesia) in a time of 2.13.87.
Cassidy was extremely positive in the aftermath celebrations, stating that he felt Our Lukas could compete at the highest level before singling out the Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap as a race he might be suited to in future.
The Cup was Our Lukas' first black type success, previously having won seven races from 24 starts for trainer Robert Heathcoate who began campaigning the son of Group 1 English Derby winner Generous nearly two years ago.
Now the winner of just under A$300,000, Our Lukas was purchased from Westbury Stud at the 2005 Karaka Select Sale for $20,000 by Paul Willets. Out of a full sister to the dam of Group 1 winning Il Quello Veloce (Captain Rio), Our Lukas is now raced by J Taylor and B O'Toole.
New Zealand-bred success in Hong Kong this season has been outstanding and Joy and Fun (Cullen - Gin Player, by Defensive Play) continued the trend in winning the Group 3 HKJC Premier Cup (1400m) on Saturday evening.
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| �Joy and Fun |
Trained by Derek Cruz, the son of Cullen doubled his Group 3 tally after scoring Group 3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup victory over the same course and distance on New Year's Day 2009. His latest Group 3 victory came in the hands of Brett Doyle who positioned the five year old three back off the fence before getting the splits and overcoming race leader, Regency Dragon, to score by a short head and a nose.
A half-brother to dual Group 1 winner Zarita (Pentire) and Group 2 winner Run Like the Wind (Pins), Joy and Fun carried 60.5kg to score his ninth career win and take his earnings to HK$8,232,600 (approx. NZ$1.7m) for owners Mr. and Mrs Johnny Wong Chun Nam. A $15,000 purchase at the 2004 NZB National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Bloodstock Sale, Joy and Fun was prepared by Java Lodge for his breeder Scott Williams.
Williams bred a Zabeel filly from his exceptional Group producing mare in 2008 whilst a full sibling to Zarita is expected in 2009.
Sunday saw Selangor host the Listed Piala Emas Sultan Selangor (2000m), a race worth 1,000,000 Malaysian Ringgits (approx. NZ$445,000). Five Karaka graduates took part in the Malaysian Group 1 race with four-year-old Colourland Supreme (Al Akbar - The Sky Moved, by Spectacular Love) proving too good by two and a half lengths with fellow kiwi Kiko's Return (Minardi) running third.
A $10,000 graduate of Grangewilliam Stud's 2006 Karaka Festival Sale draft, Colourland Supreme is raced by Colourland Stable from the yard of Cecil Robert who has trained the gelding to eight wins and close to NZ$500,000 in prizemoney.
Colourland Supreme is out of a half-sister to Econsul's dam Gypsy Soul (Centaine) as well as Group 1 Caulfield Guineas winner Beechcraft (Sea Anchor).
The next New Zealand Bloodstock conducted auctions will take place at Karaka on August 2 (Winter Mixed Bloodstock Sale) and in Christchurch on August 7 (South Island Sale).