Karaka Graduates Turning Heads

Karaka Premier Sale graduate Headturner (Anabaa x Monroe Magic) strengthened his Brisbane Cup campaign with an impressive win in the Group 3 Lord Mayor's Cup (1615m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Trained by John Hawkes and guided by leading New South Wales jockey Darren Beadman, the four-year-old gelding overcame the Gai Waterhouse trained Beauty Watch (Belong to Me x Rush for Gold) by a short head. The run was his second this preparation which will now continue towards the Group 2 O'Shea Stakes (2200m) on 2 June and ultimately the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m). Fellow New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale graduate Mr Ubiquitous (Tale of the Cat x Zhara) was third.

The winner of last season's Group 1 AJC Derby, Headturner's career earnings are edging towards the AU$1,600,000 mark. He is the third of five foals from the Zabeel mare Monroe Magic. Bred by Tim Bodle of Whakanui Stud he was a NZ$125,000 purchase by Paul Moroney in 2004. Headturner's half-sister by Thorn Park was purchased at this year's Karaka Premier Yearling Sale for NZ$250,000 by Graeme Rogerson's Dormello Stud.

Also out of a Zabeel mare and purchased by Paul Moroney, the Chris Waller trained Mr Ubiquitous was a NZ$85,000 purchase in 2002 from Karaka Downs. Cambridge Stud's champion sire Zabeel is the dam-sire of last year's Brisbane Cup winner Art Success (Pentire x Zabelette) as well as multiple Group 1 winner Darci Brahma.

Also to grace the winner's circle on Saturday, this time at Sandown, was New Kid in Town (Faltaat x Yuleda) in the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes. The grey gelding greeted the judge almost two lengths ahead of last year's Melbourne Cup runner Dolphin Jo (Dolphin Street x High Rent) and fellow Karaka graduate Sentire (Pentire x Sent to War).

Now trained by Lee Freedman he was purchased by Barron Bloodstock at the 2003 Karaka Select Sale for NZ$20,000 from his breeders, Westbury Stud. The five-year-old now heads for a spell before his next preparation which his syndicate of owners hopes will involve the Geelong and Melbourne Cups.

Click below to view a list of the weekend's stakes performing New Zealand Bloodstock graduates.