Icepin and Belles Fast Guarantee Karaka Million Spots
17 January 2010
The running of the $15,000 Countdown to Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) yesterday at Ellerslie was contested solely by Karaka Million entrants, all of whom were there to win to ensure their spot in the $1,000,000 event.
As expected the race was hotly contested from the get go with a fast race pace dictated by Icepin (Pins x Ice Maiden, by O'Reilly) and Belles Fast (Fastnet Rock x Cast Your Fate, by Bletchingly), with race favourite and debutant Mr Spock (Starcraft x Impulsive Rhythm, by Rubiton) stalking the pair in third on the fence.
Sam Spratt on Icepin and Michael Walker on Belles Fast kicked for home immediately after straightening and the two matched strides down to the 50m mark before Icepin on the outside �got the upper hand, eventually scoring by a long head.
It was a big-hearted performance considering he had worked hard to share the lead from a wide barrier and he fully deserved the $9,000 winner's cheque which took him to eighth position in the current Karaka Million Order of Entry.
�Mark Walker trained Icepin is thus guaranteed a spot in New Zealand's richest juvenile race which�will see him race in the $1,000,000 event on Sunday, 31 January.
Owner Herbie Dyke has had plenty to do with the Karaka Million since it's inception in 2008 with Raid (Pins) running third for him in the inaugural event, and Tossed and Turned (Secret Savings) just missing a start in 2009.
Dyke said post race, "I had three runners today but this is the race I really wanted to win. This is the greatest feeling, winning a race at Ellerslie is the ultimate and I cannot wait to be on course again for the million dollar event".
Interestingly, Icepin is similarly bred to Raid being by Pins out of an O'Reilly mare, a real Waikato Stud flavour in the cross and it was of course the Chittick family who sold Icepin at Karaka Premier last year for $40,000.
Also the sire of Katie Lee, El Segundo, and Waikato, Pins is an established leading sire through Australasia and South East Asia and at Karaka 2010 he will be represented by 61 yearlings - Premier�and Select.
Five yearlings in the Premier Session represent the successful Pins/O'Reilly cross including a full sister to Raid (Lot 228), a colt out of a half-sister to Ugachaka and Country Rose (Lot 261), the first foal of stakes-winner Ballymore Lass (Lot 285), a half-brother to this season's Listed Soliloquy Stakes winner Masquerade (Lot 374), and a filly from a full-sister to Group 1 Manikato Stakes and Group 1 Goodwood Handicap placed The Big Chill (Lot 411).
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| �Lot 285 - Chestnut Colt - Pins x Ballymore Lass (O'Reilly - Trelawney Stud. A colt bred on the same cross as Raid, Tootsie,�and Icepin. |
Allan Sharrock trained Belles Fast, in running second to Icepin yesterday, also looks to have guaranteed herself a start in the $1,000,000 Karaka Million with her $8,125 in accumulated earnings placing her in 12th�position on the current KM Order of Entry.
With only two remaining �juvenile races, Maiden 2Y0 at Taranaki (21 January) and Group 3 Wakefield Challenge Stakes at Trentham (23 January), that look as though they could change the current KM order, �connections will be following the progress of their competitorss closely. Here is what we know currently:
1. Big River (Mark Walker): Has recovered well after running fourth in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) and will race next in the Karaka Million.
2. Encosta Diablo (Mark Walker): Has resumed from a spell and will not take his place in the Karaka Million.
3. Everlasting (Frank Ritchie): Has recovered well from his third place finish in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes and will contest the Karaka Million next.
4. Banchee (John Sargent): Has recovered well from her second place finish in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes and will contest the Karaka Million next.
5. Sirrio (Lance Noble): Good fifth at Ellerslie yesterday. All set for the Karaka Million in a fortnight.
6. Sister Havana (Liam Birchley): Ran fourth in the $50,000 QTIS 2YO Handicap (1000m) in Brisbane yesterday. I decision on travelling to New Zealand to contest the Karaka Million will be made early next week.
7. Hoofit (Steve McKee): Done well since his win at Ellerslie on Boxing Day and will race next in the Karaka Million.
8. Icepin (Mark Walker): Superb effort to win yesterday which bodes well for his next start, the $1,000,000 Karaka Million.
9. Miss Marauder (Matthew Eales): Has come through her win at Manawatu well and has been working right handed in preparation for the Karaka Million.
10. Belles Fast (Alan Sharrock): Strong effort for second yesterday which bodes well for her next start, the $1,000,000 Karaka Million.
�11. Irish Jewel (Andrew Scott): Will gallop at Ellerslie next Thursday with the Karaka Million set as her next race-day assignment.
12.�My Cool Jo (Paul Belsham): Has done well after racing a touch greenly when third at Woodville on Saturday and, after a week at the beach, will race next in the Karaka Million.
13.�Aladdin Prince (Peter Hurdle): Trialled well to win right handed at Paeroa on 6 January after a short let-up. The Karaka Million is his next assignment.
14.�Brave Warrior (Kevin Hughes and Dean Wiles): Won well last start and will race next in the Karaka Million.
15.�Nacho Man (Mike and Paul Moroney): Won well last start and will race next in the Karaka Million.
16. Kallisan (Kevin Gray): Filly has done well since last start second placing behind Nacho Man. May race in $6,000 maiden 2YO race at Taranaki on 21 January to secure herself a place in the Karaka million field.
Click here to see the updated Karaka Million Order of Entry.
The dates for the 84th Karaka National Yearling Sales Series are as follows: