Karaka Quinella in Brisbane Staying Feature

One of the Queensland winter carnival’s signature staying races, the A$125,000 Group 3 Channel Seven Premier’s Cup (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, was dominated by graduates of the Karaka sales complex.

The race was won by Kaiser Franz (NZ) (Savabeel), who cost $65,000 at the 2012 Premier Sale, and the runner-up was Zambezi Warrior (NZ) (Pentire), who sold at the same Sale two years later for $75,000.

Saturday’s big race was the seventh win of Kaiser Franz’s career and boosted his prize-money earnings to A$286,250.

Trained by Robert Heathcote and ridden on Saturday by Robbie Fradd, the six-year-old Kaiser Franz produced an irresistible finish to flash home and win the race by half a length. Zambezi Warrior was second, with the New Zealand-trained Benzini (Tale of the Cat) fourth.

“He’s beaten some good horses today,” Heathcote said. “Today was his big test and maybe it's pie in the sky to run him in the Brisbane Cup but the extra 200 metres next time will suit him.”

Kaiser Franz was bred by Denise Howell and is a full-brother to her multiple Group 1-winning mare Soriano (NZ) (Savabeel). Offered by Trelawney Stud at the 2012 Premier Sale, Kaiser Franz was bought by bloodstock agent Paul Willetts. He is raced by Mrs VA Heathcote, Mr RS Ciobo, Mr TA Mcpherson, Mrs KM Elliott, Mr BW Harry, Mr GR Horne, Mr RD Vela, Mr SA Krslovic, Mr KR Mackenzie.