Karaka Million Starting to Take Shape

New Zealand's richest two-year-old race, the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Million, is now only four weeks away and the Order of Entry for the race is looking very strong.

The Christmas and New Year period has seen good contests on the track with a number of graduates adding their names to the Karaka Million Order of Entry.

Yesterday's running of the $70,000 Group 3 Stella Artois Eclipse Handicap saw the smart colt Super Easy (Darci Brahma x Parfore) put in a big performance only to be nosed on the line by Anabandana (Anabaa). Super Easy is the first winner for his sire Darci Brahma and looks to have plenty to offer on the track. From his two starts he has earned connections over $23,000 in stakes and moves to fourth place on the Order of Entry.  

Darci Brahma has a draft of 31 horses in the 2011 Karaka Premier Sale including Lot 62, the colt from Songfest, the dam of the Singapore sensation Better Than Ever, Lot 273, the filly from the Octagonal mare Diamond Deck, a Group 3 winner and a three-quarter sister to Lonhro, and Lot 456, the colt from Natalie Wood, the dam of Melbourne Cup runner up Maluckyday. 

The Group 3 Stella Artois Eclipse Handicap also saw Savabill (Savabeel x Illuminate) put in a strong run for third, taking him to third place on the Order of Entry with over $24,000 in stakes. Trained by John Sargent, the gelding has had four starts for two wins and looks well placed in the Karaka Million.

The leader in the Karaka Million Order of Entry, the Peter McKay trained Antonio Lombardo (Pins x Petit Verdot) ran a good fourth in the race. With his previous start back in late November, the colt put in a good performance in the Group 3, extending his lead to over $4,000 in the Order of Entry. The son of Pins has already won the Listed Wellesley Stakes and has earned $38,125 in stakes.

To view the Karaka Million Order of Entry which features over 50 two-year-olds, click here. 

The Karaka Million meeting will be held at Ellerslie Racecourse on January 30. For more information please visit www.nzb.co.nz.