Five To Midnight (NZ) Heads Karaka Quinella in Hawke’s Bay Gold Cup

After a series of close-up finishes in major races, Karaka graduate Five To Midnight (NZ) (Domesday) broke through for a first stakes win in Saturday’s $75,000 Listed Winning Edge Presentations Hawke’s Bay Gold Cup (2200m) at Hastings).

The Lisa Latta-trained runner had previously run second in the Listed New Zealand St Leger (2500m), second in the Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2000m), third in the Listed Feilding Gold Cup (2100m), third in the Group 3 Manawatu Cup (2300m), third in the Group 3 City of Auckland Cup (2400m), fourth in the Group 2 Avondale Cup (2400m), fifth in the Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m) and second in the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m).

On Saturday he claimed a well-deserved win. Rider Danielle Johnson positioned the four-year-old in midfield before bringing him to the outside at the top of the straight to make his run. He ran down the leaders and raced away to win by two lengths.

“I’m so happy with that,” said Kevin Pratt, who owns Five To Midnight under this Kamada Racing banner. “Five To Midnight is a horse who really, really tries.

“We thought he could win a good race this season, but he’s been a bit unlucky at times. This was it for him for this season, and it’s great to see him win it.”

Five To Midnight was bred by The Oaks Stud, who offered him at the 2014 Select Sale. Trainer Lisa Latta bought him for $165,000.

Now the winner of five of his 22 starts, Five To Midnight has earned prize-money of $186,960.

Runner-up Maygrove (Authorized) is also a Karaka graduate, bought for $110,000 at the 2012 Select Sale. He has won seven races and more than $374,000 in stakes.