Kiwi Success in Australia

Karaka Sale graduates performed at the highest level across Australia over the weekend, at Perth and at Rosehill.

Karaka Premier Sale graduates Railings (Zabeel x La Suffragette) and Gorky Park (Montjeu x Steluta), did not disgrace themselves when they filled the minor placings behind upset winner Blutigeroo in the A$2.2m Group 1 BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Railings, a NZ$300,000 purchase by Matamata trainer Roger James at the 2003 Karaka Sale from Haunui Farm, has been a consistent performer for trainer John Hawkes over the past two seasons only racing in Group company since September 2005. Trailed by Blutigeroo, the six-year-old couldn't hang on to his lead and had to settle for second spot one-and-a-half-lengths from the winner. Railings stake money has now reached over AU$3,150,000.

Gorky Park's third further stamped the spring Melbourne form, following his second behind Efficient in the Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2400m) in November. Gorky Park was a NZ$360,000 purchase by Les Samba from the 2005 Sale from Little Avondale Stud.

Meanwhile Group 1 glory was within grasp at Ascot racecourse in Perth, with the three-year-old New Zealand-breds Guyno (O'Reilly x River Century) and Ballack (Montjeu x Trephina) taking the quinella in the Group 1 WATC Derby (2400m).

Guyno, trained by Lou Luciani and ridden by Jason Whiting, coped with the step up in class and distance, crossing the line three-quarters-of-a-length ahead of Ballack, who was having just his fifth start. Ballack was purchased by Danny O'Brien for NZ$70,000 at the 2005 Karaka Premier Sale. Guyno is the second Group One winner produced by River Century (by Centaine), being the dam of dual-Group 1 winner Legs (by Pins).

At Rosehill, expatriate Kiwi trainer Chris Waller had a memorable day with a Karaka double.

In the Listed Schweppervescence (1200m) Double Dare (O'Reilly x Dare) won by one-and-three-quarter lengths over King Rex with Sunset Run another length-and-a-quarter behind in third.

Double Dare was a NZ$40,000 purchase by Waller at the 2003 Karaka Select Sale from Waikato Stud. This was his ninth win and brings his stakes haul to over AU$340,000.

In the Listed Fat Quaddies Royal Parma Stakes (1400m), six-year-old Mr Ubiquitous (Tale of the Cat x Zahra) won by just half-a-head from Mystery City with A Country Girl half-a-neck away in third. Mr Ubiquitous was purchased by bloodstock agent Paul Moroney for NZ$85,000 from Karaka Downs at the 2002 Karaka Premier Sale and performed well in New Zealand being a dual-stakes winner as a juvenile and a Group 3 winner as a three-year-old.

This is the six-year-old's sixth win for his owners, the GG Syndicate and Owen Glenn, and brings his prize money to over AU$375,000.

Both Waller's charges were ridden by Damien Oliver, who had an unforgettable day, also taking home two of the Group 1 features.

Mr Ubiquitous's half-sister, by Thorn Park, was purchased by Dormello Stud at this year's Karaka Premier Sale for NZ$180,000. Dormello Stud is the new breeding establishment near Hamilton, part-owned by trans-tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson.