Karaka Two-Year-Olds the Toast of the Weekend

With next season almost upon us, the weekend saw high quality performances from Karaka graduates on both sides of the Tasman, all late two-year-olds with big three-year-old ambitions.

The highlight came in the Listed Experience Group Ryder Stakes (1200m) on Saturday when Andrew Scott's Lamington Vegas (Elusive City x Piece of Cake, by Snippets) ran away with the lion's share of the $50,000 prize-money.

Clearing away from her eleven rivals by three lengths, the daughter of Haunui Farm's Group 1 winning juvenile Elusive City (Elusive Quality) stamped herself as a real contender for the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series next season.

Her next objective will be a start in the Listed Trudy Thompson Stakes (1200m) on September 5, a fortnight before the first leg of the Filly of the Year Series, the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes at Hastings.

Lamington Vegas was a $110,000 purchase by Lance O'Sullivan on owner Benjamin Kwok's behalf at the 2008 Karaka Select Sale from Te Mania Thoroughbreds. From one notable breeder to another, Jo Wilding of Te Mania had pin-hooked the filly from the 2007 Karaka Weanling Sale from Joan Egan's Legacy Lodge for $35,000.

"She was a very correct, beautifully covered filly with no weaknesses, and she reminded me very much of her sire Elusive City," said Wilding.

"There was plenty of interest in her come the yearling sale and I am so glad she went to Wexford Stables. They have been very patient with her and are now being well-rewarded for their horsemanship."

Jo Wilding's keen pin-hooking eye is more than matched by her tremendous thoroughbred breeding exploits which has seen her breed the likes of Champion Australian three-year-old filly Analie (Sovereign Edition), New Zealand Derby winners Zonda (Zabeel) and So Casual (Casual Lies), Singapore Derby winner Man of Honour (Noble Bijou), Champion NZ two-year-old Joker's Wild (Black Minnaloushe), Group 1 Breeders Stakes winner Surprize Surprize and many more top performers.

Breeding for over 60 years from around four mares a season, Wilding's Te Mania Thoroughbreds will offer a quality packed draft of eight at the 2009 South Island Sale, including one of the stars of the Sale at Lot 104.

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Lot 104 - Pins x Belle Nuite colt on account of Te Mania Thoroughbreds

By leading sire Pins, the black colt is from top producer Belle Nuite, the dam of six foals to race for five winners. Amongst her winning produce is Group 2 ARC Rich Hill Mile winner Fiscal Madness (Volksraad) who won over $500,000 in prize-money and was Group 1 placed on three occasions.

Graeme Rogerson's Group 1 Kelt Capital Stakes targeted Penrickson (Pentire) is another superb galloper for Belle Nuite. A winner of the STC Lord Mayors Cup this season, the front runner has been stakes placed and won over $250,000 in prize-money with more in store across the Hawkes Bay Group 1 Carnival given the fast track and his style of running.

Belle Nuite's three-year-old daughter Fiscal Folly (Align) has been a winner this season also, winning her $15,000 maiden at Te Rapa for John Sargent and showing plenty for next season.

Wilding has plenty of time for Belle Nuite's South Island Sale bound colt.

"He is a most athletic colt with a wonderful loose walk on him. He is a pleasure to handle and in terms of attitude, well you could say he is very laid-back in nature."

"Bart Cummings has his rising three-year-old Savabeel half-brother, named Brightnight, whom he was very happy with when I spoke to him last."

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�Lot 150 - Captain Rio x Georgie Porgie colt on account of Te Mania Thoroughbreds

In Sydney on Saturday, trainer David Payne combined with Karaka purchases to win both two-year-old races on the card.

The Les Samba and Ron Medich owned Winter King (One Cool Cat x Something Special, by Bletchingly) won his third race in a row, all carrying 59kg plus, �when he took out the Merimbula Bay Handicap (1000m) in the hands of Nash Rawiller.

The $175,000 purchase from Wellfield Lodge at the 2008 NZB Premier Sale is a colt with serious ability having run second to Real Saga (Tale of the Cat) in the Listed AJC Breeders Plate on debut, and in doing so beat future Group 1 Champagne Stakes winner Onemorenomore (Red Ransom).

The son of Group 1 winning juvenile One Cool Cat (Storm Cat) hails from a wonderful winning family highlighted by the fact that his first six dams have each won three races or more.

Payne was back in the winner's circle in the Sir Dapper Handicap (1600m) when Artistic Rock (Rock of Gibraltar) downed a promising group of up-and-comers in just her second start.

The filly dubbed by jockey Tye Angland to "have a big future" was bought by David Payne for $250,000 from Monovale Farm at the 2008 Karaka Premier Sale.

Packed with residual value, Artistic Rock has an internationally sought after family which includes Group 1 English 1000 Guineas winner Cape Verdi (Caerleon), Group 1 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Arcangues (Sagace), Group 1 French Oaks winner Aquarelliste (Danehill), and Group 1 Hollywood Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap winner Artiste Royal (Danehill).

New Zealand Bloodstock will conduct both the Winter Mixed Bloodstock Sale (2 August, Karaka) and South Island Sale (7 August, Christchurch) over the next two weeks.

Prospective buyers can obtain catalogues from reception@nzb.co.nz while Marketing Executive Haylie Martin (Haylie.martin@nzb.co.nz) can help with any travel arrangements. Catalogues can also be viewed online at http://www.nzb.co.nz/.