Group races confirmed for richest race day on the calendar

New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) in partnership with the Auckland Racing Club (ARC) can now confirm the six races that are carded for New Zealand’s richest race day – the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting to be held on Saturday 27 January.

The headline acts for the meet at Ellerslie are the 11th edition of the $1m Karaka Million Two-Year-Old 1200m (RL) and the inaugural running of the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic 1600m (RL). These races along with the Karaka Million Stayers Cup, which will now be held on Sunday 14 January, are the three-races that make up NZB’s lucrative Karaka Million incentive series.

Boosting the twilight meeting are the addition of four prestigious Group races:

• Group 2 Westbury Classic Fillies & Mares 1400m $100,000
• Group 3 City Of Auckland Cup Open Handicap 2400m $200,000
• Group 3 Concorde Handicap Open Handicap 1200m $70,000
• Group 3 Mr Tiz Trophy 3yo 1200m $70,000

Executive General Manager of Racing & Operations – Craig Baker says, “The ARC and NZB are thrilled with the programme for the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting which includes two $1 million races plus four Group Races.  The night will be a great prelude to the 92nd National Yearling Sales Series which commences on Sunday, 28 January 2018”.

“The Karaka Million Twilight Meeting is one of the great days on the New Zealand racing calendar,” commented NZB managing director Andrew Seabrook.

“The major upgrade to the race day with the move to Saturday, the running of two one million dollar races, and the four additional Group races will take it to a whole new level.”