Karaka's Class of 2006 Turning Heads

One of the top-priced yearling fillies sold at Karaka last year, Gibraltar Campion (Rock of Gibraltar x What Can I Say) scored her second win from as many starts, and her first black-type success, when she prevailed in the Listed Pol Roger Stakes (1200m) on Saturday at Caulfield. 

Trainer Lee Freedman is now reportedly eyeing up a Golden Slipper lead-up race for the filly.

Bred by Scott Williams' Bloodstock Resources Ltd and Rich Hill Thoroughbreds, the filly was offered under the Rich Hill Stud banner at last year's Karaka Premier Sale and was knocked down to the bid of Mr Katsumi Yoshida for NZ$500,000, making her the fourth highest-priced filly at the Karaka Premier Sale.  Mr Yoshida has retained ownership and the two-year-old filly has been ridden on both race day outings by Corey Brown.

Gibraltar Campion won by half-a-head over Patasi, with Simplest two-and-a-quarter lengths further away in third.

Meanwhile, the younger half-brother to this season's AAMI Victoria Derby winner, Efficient (by Zabeel), proved he isn't intimidated by his big brother's star status.

Guillotine (Montjeu x Refused the Dance), with rider Brad Pengelly in the saddle, won on debut at Canterbury on Friday in the De Bertoli Wines Handicap for 2YOs over 1200m

Bred by Wellington's Graeme Hunt of Cambridge Hunt Ltd, the colt was purchased by Les Samba for NZ$300,000 at last year's Karaka Premier Sale from Gordon Cunningham's Curraghmore Stud.

Trained by David Payne, the two-year-old is raced by Les Samba and Ron Medich.

There are three yearlings by the Sadler's Wells sire, Montjeu, amongst the 260 horses catalogued for sale at Friday's Karaka Carnival Sale.