Karaka Weekend Success in Asia
11 January 2016
Karaka graduates were to the fore throughout Asia over the weekend with winners in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia, including winning six of the 11 races in Singapore on Sunday.
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Celestial Smile making it two wins from two starts |
NZ gallopers Imperial Boy (NZ) (Mr. Nancho) and Best Jade (NZ) (Showcasing) started the abundance of victories by Karaka graduates in winning the first two races on the card.
Purchased by K Tan for $36,000 at the 2013 NZB Ready to Run Sale Esker Lodge, Imperial Boy has been a consistent performer for trainer Michael Clements before notching up his second win from 13 starts with five minor placings. Both his wins have been over 1000 metres.
Best Jade followed up from his close-up third placing on debut late last year with a narrow win in the second race over 1100 metres for ex-pat trainer Mark Walker. The Showcasing gelding was purchased by Stephen Autridge at the 2014 Karaka Select Sale for $15,000 from Hallmark Stud.
Consistent performer Mighty Glory (NZ) (O’Reilly) led all the way and held off the late challenge from another Karaka graduate Cannon King (NZ) (Iffraaj) to win the fifth race. The four-year-old son of O’Reilly was purchased by Dean Hawthorne for $35,000 at the2013 Karaka Premier Sale from Phoenix Park.
New Zealand galloper Castle Queen (NZ) (Thewayyouare) was a surprise winner of the following event. Given a near perfect ride by jockey Benny Woodworth, the four-year-old mare raced away by two lengths. Castle Queen was passed in at the 2013 Karaka Select Sale.
Leading home a New Zealand trifecta in the eighth race of the day was Helen (NZ) (Falkirk), going one better than her second place finish last start. Helen won by nearly three-lengths over fellow kiwi bred horses Fine Choice (NZ) (Coat’s Choice) in second and Guiltless (NZ) (Guillotine) in third place.
Eclipse Dancer (NZ) (Roc De Cambes) recorded his second win from 10 starts, running strongly to the line to win over 1600m. He was purchased by I Hartono for $100,000 at the 2013 NZB Ready to Run sale from Mana Park.
Polytrack specialist Mycaptainoblivious (NZ) (Captain Rio) was well supported, winning over 1100m by two lengths and beating home another Karaka graduate Strubeli (Elusive City) in the feature race of the night. The son of Captain Rio was purchased by Ben Foote for $57,500 at the 2011 Karaka Select Sale from Westbury Stud.
In Hong Kong on Saturday, New Zealand-bred gallopers won six of the 10 races at Sha Tin, winning the two feature races.
New Zealand bred Amazing Kids (NZ) (Falkirk) won the first feature, the Pearce Memorial Cup over 1200 metres. The John Size trained four-year-old has never finished outside the top four in eight raceday starts and was the race-favourite. He has won three of his four starts over 1200 metres in Hong Kong.
Winning the second feature race was Karaka graduate Celestial Smile (NZ) (Castledale), making it two wins from two starts this season. Trained by ex-pat kiwi Paul O’Sullivan, the son of Castledale has yet to be unplaced in 16 starts. This was the gelding’s fifth win and along with 11 placings he has earned stakes of over HK$5 million. Wexford Stables purchased the son of Castledale for NZ$22,000 at the 2011 Karaka Festival Sale from Te Runga Stud.
The other four winners in Hong Kong on Saturday were Raging Bull (NZ) (Savabeel), who broke through for his first win, Winner St Paul’s (NZ) (Gold Centre) was another that broke maiden ranks along with Midnite Promise (NZ) (Librettist) while Cheerful Flame (NZ) (Battle Pain) won his second this season.
In Selangor, Karaka graduates won five races over the weekend with Champagne Rose (NZ) (Savabeel), Segar The Best (NZ) (O’Reilly), Takaim (NZ) (Towkay), Frankly My Dear (NZ) (My Halo) and Eclipse’s Scret (NZ) (Sakhee Secret) all winning.
New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales Series will take place from 25 January – 31 January at Karaka. The catalogues can be viewed online or can be requested from reception@nzb.co.nz.