Karaka Graduate Ecuador (NZ) Claims Third Stakes Win

In-form Karaka graduate Ecuador (NZ) (High Chaparral), who also has a half-sister catalogued for Karaka 2017, carried on his winning way with a stylish performance in Saturday’s A$150,000 Listed Tattersalls Club Carrington Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.

The seven-year-old gelding has now won four of his last five starts, three of them at stakes level. He had previously won the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m) and McKell Cup (2400m).

On Saturday the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained runner had to contend with a 61-kilogram topweight, but it proved no obstacle as regular rider Adam Hyeronimous guided him to victory by a length and a quarter.

Ecuador has had 30 starts overall for 10 wins, eight placings and more than A$800,000 in stakes.

“He’s brilliant,” Bott said. “He’s a lovely horse to have in the stable and he’s been a grand campaigner. He did it tough with the weight today but he’s very tough. He’s had a lot of starts now and won a tick over A$800,000 in prize-money, so he’s been a lovely horse for the owners.”

Bred by Darrell and Peter Hollinshead, Ecuador is a full-brother to the Group 1 winner Pondarosa Miss (NZ).

Offered by Esker Lodge at the 2011 Premier Sale, Ecuador was bought by Amanda Skiffington for $360,000. He is raced by S C Rose, Saddlers Knife Syndicate, G J Fisher, T Lillis, G G B Macdonald, J P Nugent, Oliver Racing Syndicate, Mrs R Winney & Ms J Singleton

Curraghmore will offer a Rip Van Winkle half-sister to Ecuador at Karaka 2017, set to go through the ring as Lot 57 in the Premier Sale.