Harrison Hits New High With $10,000 Karaka Purchase

Among all the big-name horses and stables that were out in force for the big stakes at Ellerslie on Champions Day, one of the very best performances came from an owner-trainer and his $10,000 Karaka yearling purchase.

Moxie (Strasbourg) raced to a brilliant victory in Saturday’s $600,000 Group Two Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Classic (1400m). It was the fifth win of an 11-race career that has now amassed $497,125 in stakes – almost 50 times what Ken Harrison paid to buy her at Karaka 2023 from Lyndhurst Farm's draft.

After winning four of her first seven starts, Moxie stepped up in class this summer and produced late finishes for fourth in the $110,000 Stella Artois 1500 Championship Final (1500m), sixth in the $1m Group Three Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) and third in the $100,000 Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m).

She dropped back to 1400 metres on Saturday against a strong field of fillies and mares, including Group One winner Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award), the Group One-placed Tomodachi (NZ) (Tarzino) and Australian-trained visitors Chica Mojito (NZ) (Zacinto) and Mare Of Mt Buller (Dundeel).

Runners fanned out across the track to lodge their challenge in a scramble down the straight, but Moxie produced a late burst that no others could match. She dashed to victory by a length over Chica Mojito, with a head back to Quintessa.

“It’s pretty unreal, really,” Harrison said. “After that last run over 1500 metres, we thought freshening her up and dropping back to 1400 might be her go. It worked out. I’m happy as.

“She was pretty good coming into today and had been working really well.

“She’s definitely the best horse I’ve trained.”

Moxie was ridden by Lynsey Satherley.

“This mare really deserves that,” the popular jockey said. “She’s run some amazing sectionals in her previous runs in this campaign.

“I was lucky enough to get a nice run today and they ticked along at a good speed. It was a really good effort.”

Vendor	Lyndhurst Farm
Purchaser	Mr KG Harrison (Waikato)
Breeding	Strasbourg – Pearly Kate
Sale	Lot 929, Karaka 2023 Book 2, $10,000
Breeder	Hormac Bloodstock
Owner	D Cowling & K Harrison