Gobi Ranger Secures Spot in Karaka Million

Two-year-old Gobi Ranger turned in an impressive front-running performance, and secured his spot in New Zealand Bloodstock’s $1 million (Res.L) Karaka Million 1200m, when he won the Group 3 $70,000 Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes yesterday at Ellerslie.

Rated nicely in front by jockey Jason Waddell, Gobi Ranger (Tale of the Cat x Big Step, by Honour and Glory) secured an uncontested lead down the back straight and sprinted hard when he turned for home to maintain the lead and win by just under a length to give trainer Danica Guy her first black-type success.

Gobi Ranger wins the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes

“I was absolutely thrilled with the way he won, and he will now have a short let up and onwards toward the Karaka Million at the end of the month,”  Guy commented.

“Ever since day one he has always shown a lot of ability. I have been very fortunate to train him after breaking him in when he came back to Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore Stud after the yearling sale last year.”

Earning $42,000 in stakes, Gobi Ranger now shoots to the top of the Karaka Million Order of Entry with $49,550 in the bank and remains unbeaten in his two starts, both at Ellerslie.

Ruud Awakening sits in second place with $42,500 in prize money and Tale of the Cat has his second runner assured of a spot with Dancer’s Tale in third position.

Catalonia (Commands) sits in fourth position with stakes of $36,650 after finishing fourth in yesterday’s race and Fantastic Honour sits in fifth with $30,525.

It now becomes a race to the finish line for potential candidates looking to secure a spot in New Zealand’s richest race with several runners vying for entry into the Karaka Million, they will no doubt be out in the next couple of weeks to gain that valuable prize money.

Gobi Ranger was bred by Bylong Park Thoroughbreds Ltd and offered by Hallmark Stud at last year’s Karaka Premier Sale where he was bought by Dr KC Tan for $75,000.

Hallmark Stud will offer 10 colts this year at Karaka’s Premier Sale by a range of proven sires including High Chaparral, O’Reilly, Zabeel, Savabeel and Starcraft.