Karaka Trifecta in South Island Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes

Graduates of New Zealand Bloodstock sales dominated the finish of Saturday's $80,000 Group 3 Valachi Downs South Island Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton.

The winner was Residential (NZ) (Pins), who was passed with a $60,000 reserve at the 2015 Premier Sale. She has now earned $253,000 for owners Mark Ritchie, Jason Wardle, Michael Piaggi, Henry and Ron Williamson, Leslie and Ann Seaton, John and David Nixon and Waikato Stud Ltd.

The second placegetter Zabay (NZ) (Stravinsky) was passed at the same Sale with a $100,000 reserve, while third-placed Contessa Vanessa (NZ) (Bullbars) cost $50,000 at the 2016 Select Sale and has now earned $318,341.

Residential was ridden by Robert Hannam on Saturday and led all the way, fighting hard in the straight to hold on by half a length.

“John and Karen have done a wonderful job with her and I’m just as pleased for them as I am for her syndicate of owners to get the win today,” Waikato Stud's Mark Chittick told NZ Racing Desk.

“She’s just a good, tough racemare who always gives her best and I think she deserved that one after being thereabouts all season.

“She comes from a really good family and once again there was old Pins reminding us just what a good stallion he was over his long career at Waikato Stud.”

Residential is now a four-time stakes winner, having previously won the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m), Dunedin Guineas (1500m) and Southland Guineas (1600m).