Kadavar (NZ) Adds Christmas Cup to Perfect 2400m Record

From four starts over 2400 metres, Karaka graduate Kadavar (NZ) (Tarzino) has now recorded four impressive victories including Saturday’s A$200,000 Listed Max Brenner Christmas Cup (2400m) at Randwick.

Kadavar was bought for $300,000 by Mulcaster Bloodstock and Chris Waller Racing from the Book 1 draft of breeders Westbury Stud at Karaka 2022. The up-and-coming stayer has now had 13 starts for six wins, two placings and A$351,525 in stakes.

Kadavar had his first look at 2400 metres with a win on Randwick’s Kensington track in June. He has returned to that distance in his three most recent appearances, stringing together wins in a Benchmark 78 handicap at Rosehill on November 9, a Benchmark 84 handicap at Caulfield on November 30, and Saturday’s black-type feature.

The four-year-old was ridden by Kerrin McEvoy on Saturday and settled midfield before creeping closer around the halfway point.

Alalcance (Mastercraftsman) kicked away at the home turn and was going to take some catching, but Kadavar worked through his gears and finished over the top of that rival to snatch victory by a long head.

“I knew he would run the trip well,” McEvoy said. “He got out into a nice spot, but the horse in front of me wasn’t really travelling and taking me along and was almost getting detached from the horses I thought were going to be hardest to beat. I was able to come out, make a bit of a move and be a bit closer around the back lane. He showed a good attitude when I asked him.”

The Chris Waller-trained Kadavar is bred for long-distance success, being by Group One Victoria Derby (2500m) winner Tarzino (NZ) out of the Group One VRC Oaks (2500m) winner Arapaho Miss (Danehill Dancer). Kadavar is the third stakes winner out of Arapaho Miss, who is the dam of seven winners altogether from nine foals to race. Her daughter Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man) also won the VRC Oaks, while De Little Engine (Encosta De Lago) won eight races up to Listed level.

“Kadavar has turned into a winner, that’s for sure,” Waller said. “He has been up and down the countryside, but he is enjoying his racing and he keeps going to another level each time he runs. I think he is four from four over 2400 metres, and he is out of an Oaks winner and he is a sibling to an Oaks winner.

“I think he will get to a higher level. That will do for this prep, but if you have got a good stayer, there are some good races for them.”

Kadavar became the fourth individual stakes winner for Westbury Stud stallion Tarzino, who has nine yearlings catalogued for Book 1 of Karaka 2025 along with another 33 in Book 2.