Karaka Double at Eagle Farm

23 April 2007

Karaka graduates Tornado Alley (Flying Spur x Singing Angel) and Game On (Zabeel x Showtime) both scored their first stakes victories at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Tornado Alley's win in the AU$75,000 Listed Dr John Power Handicap (1200m) was his eleventh career win, and pushed his earnings to nearly AU$400,000. 

Bred by Karaka operation, Twin Pines Thoroughbreds, Tornado Alley was purchased by Maryanne Thexton from Karaka Group's draft, at the 2002 Ready to Run Sale for NZ$15,000.

A genuine galloper, the Thexton-trained six-year-old won his first start as a two-year-old.  Saturday's win, in the hands of Bobby El-Issa, saw him cross the line one-and-three-quarter lengths ahead of Daunting Lad with Denmarket a further length-and-a-quarter back in third.

Completing the Karaka double, Game On took out the AU$75,000 Listed Members Handicap (1600m).

Bred by Wellington's Darryl Burrows, Game on was purchased by Queensland Bloodstock agent, John Foote, at the 2002 Karaka Premier Sale for NZ$230,000 from the Longlands Stud draft.

Senior hoop Scott Seamer rode the six-year-old to cross the line three-quarters-of-a-length ahead of Fastness, wit Birthday Bash a further length away in third.

Saturday's win has now pushed the Robert Heathcote-trained galloper's earnings to over AU$200,000.