Karaka Graduates Bag Six at Sha Tin

It was an exciting night at Sha Tin on Saturday for New Zealand Bloodstock graduates - who won 6 of the 10 race's carded - and for New Zealand expat Paul O'Sullivan who had 2 more winners enabling him to stay within striking distance of the Trainers Premiership.

In Race 8, Class 3 The Lusitano Challenge Cup (1200m), the O'Sullivan-trained He Can Tango (Faltaat x Cantango), with Frenchman Olivier Delouze up, won by one-and-a-half lengths. Following an inquiry after the race, which was marred by some interference in the home straight, the Casper Fownes-trained Toffee (Danasinga x Silver's Sister) was promoted to second place. Both four-year-olds were 2004 Karaka Select Sale graduates. O'Sullivan, now just five wins behind Fownes in the Trainers Premiership, purchased He Can Tango for NZ$40,000 from Trelawney Stud. Bred by Mark & Carolyn Todd and originally trained at Matamata by O'Sullivan's brother Lance, He Can Tango won once in New Zealand before transferring up to Hong Kong where he has added a further 2 wins to his tally for his owner Kwok Chun Wai. Toffee was a NZ$85,000 purchase by Michael Stedman from Wentwood Grange.

In the Class 4 Cotton Tree Handicap (1600m), Butterfield (Black Minnaloushe x Alacrity), produced his second win, from eight starts. The three-year-old was purchased at the 2005 Karaka Premier sale NZ$110,000 from the Rich Hill Stud draft. Alacrity (by Grosvenor) was a multiple Group winner, including winning the prestigious New Zealand Oaks, and is the dam of two other winners including dual-Group 3 winner, Pendragon (by Elnadim).

Elephant Dance (Senor Pete x Zephyr Comet) picked up his sixth win, in the Class 4 Garden Handicap (2000m). Takanini horseman Bruce Wallace purchased him for NZ$16,000 from Grande Vue Lodge at 2000 Karaka Festival Sale.

Circuit Hero (Chief Bearhart x Star Child) led a Karaka trifecta in the Class 4 Battery Path Handicap (1400m). He was purchased as a yearling by Nigel & Adair Auret at the 2004 Spring Bloodstock Sale for NZ$17,500. Only a nose behind him was Lollipop (Align x Snadame). He was purchased by Michael Stedman from Highview Stud, where Align stands, at 2005 Karaka Select Sale for NZ$50,000. Three-quarters-of-a-length back in third place was Forever Fortune (Montjeu x Iridescent). He was purchased by trainer, Danny Shum, for NZ$210,000 from the 2005 Karaka Premier Sale.

Main Attraction (Last Tycoon x Hayizah) scored his fourth win in the Class 5 Ice House Handicap (1600m). Purchased by from Chatham Lodge in 2001 Karaka Premier Sale for NZ$140,000, his half-brother will be Lot 105 at the upcoming National Weanling Sale to be held on Monday 6 May. The weanling colt is by freshman sire, Hawkeye, and will be offered by Karaka-based Twin Pines.

Tabbris (Snippets x Tinker's Flight) notched up his seventh win, in the Class 5 Glenealy Handicap (1400m). He was purchased by Mark Pilkington from Anzac Lodge for NZ$125,000 at 2000 Karaka Ready to Run Sale

The New Zealand-bred gelding, Go Johnny Go (Kaapstad x Font), won the Class 3 Albany Handicap (1600m), but only just as he crossed the line a short head in front of Joy and Fun (Cullen x Gin Player), a NZ$15,000 purchase from Java Lodge at the 2004 National Broodmare and Weanling Sale.