Last Chances for a Karaka Million Start
19 January 2015
The final week leading up to Karaka Million is upon us with New Zealand’s richest race just six days away.
The last of the Karaka Million registered two-year-olds competed at various locations around New Zealand on Saturday ahead of nominations closing 20 January (tomorrow).
After the weekend’s results, Ilikai (NZ) (Coate’s Choice) jumped up seven spots on the Order of Entry after winning the $17,500 Regional Ford Gore 2 Year Old Handicap (1000m) at Gore Racecourse on Saturday.
Winning two consecutive races, the Michael & Matthew Pitman trained filly earned $10,935, doubling her prizemoney to $20,250. Now in fifth position, she will arrive from the South Island on Wednesday.
“All the way through it has been in the back of our minds to run in Karaka Million,” comments co-trainer Michael Pitman. “I was disappointed she didn’t win at Dunedin three starts back but I thought if she is good enough to win on Saturday she is good enough to travel up.
“Ilikai is a naturally free running horse. She went out to the paddock after her win on Saturday and has had a trot around today and is 100% so we are happy.
“She will travel up on Wednesday from the South Island. It is a big mission but there’s only one Karaka Million race.”
The daughter of South Island sire Coat’s Choice was purchased at the 2014 Karaka Festival Sale by The Robt Dawe Agency for $8,000 from Berkley Stud.
The pending field will be confirmed on Wednesday at 12noon, the field and barrier draws for the Karaka Million and the Karaka 3YO Mile will be announced live on Radio Trackside by Andrew Castles and Peter Early.
Five overseas-based jockeys are likely to be visiting New Zealand on Sunday as they line up associations in the Karaka Million field.
Hugh Bowman will ride Gotham (Onemorenomore), James McDonald riding Strata Lady (NZ) (Stratum), Damian Browne visits with Hardline (NZ) (Showcasing), Jason Collett is set to ride Selfie (NZ) (Thewayyouare)and Tommy Berry to ride Bella Court (NZ) (Per Incanto).
Below is the top 20 2YOs in the Order of Entry:
| Order | Name | Breeding | Trainer | Sale | Price | Vendor | Purchaser | Total Stakes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Showboy | Ch. G Showcasing x Shades of Silk | N W Tiley | K3 | $15,000 | Haunui Farm | Nigel Tiley | $74,650 |
| 2 | Maritimo | B. F Pins x Miracle Miss | G A Rogerson | K1 | $200,000 | Waikato Stud Ltd | Rogerson B/stock | $51,150 |
| 3 | Windborne | B. F Darci Brahma x Sweet Dreams Baby | J W Bridgman | K2 | $100,000 | Goodwood Stud | Fortuna Syndications | $45,000 |
| 4 | Dal Cielo | Br. G Per Incanto x Cent From Heaven | M P Baker | K2 | $95,000 | Little Avondale Stud | Bruce Perry B/stock | $27,500 |
| 5 | Ilikai | Br. F Coats Choice x Blame the Music | M R Pitman | K3 | $8,000 | Berkley Stud | The Robt Dawe Agency Ltd | $20,250 |
| 6 | Bella Court | B. F Per Incanto x Belle Chantecler | Ms L Latta | K3 | $37,000 | A. T. Powell | Lisa Latta Racing | $16,000 |
| 7 | China Silk | B. F Hard Spun x Uno Sayuri | Ms D Guy | S.I | $9,000 | Curraghmore Stud | NZB as Agent | $15,800 |
| 8 | Hardline | Ch. G Showcasing x Midnight Breaker | L F Birchley | K2 | $130,000 | Hallmark Stud | LB Racing | A$13,800 |
| 9 | Strata Lady | B. F Stratum x Estermate | L A O'Sullivan | K1 | $40,000 | Cambridge Stud | Wexford Stables | $12,500 |
| 10 | Platinum Express | Br. F Showcasing x My Other Woman | Ms L Latta | K2 | $20,000 | Haunui Farm | Lisa Latta Racing | $11,850 |
| 11 | Outlaw Kate | Ch. F Exceed and Excel x She's Got Gears | L J Molloy | K1 | $150,000 | Ascot Farm | Phill Cataldo B/stock | $11,400 |
| 12 | Peach Cove | B. F Buffalo Man x Tennisciti Belle | A J Brown | K3 | $5,500 | Totara Park Stud | NZB as agent | $9,875 |
| 13 | Jacqueric | B. C Beneteau x Hey Pretty Katie | J G Symons & S Laxon | K2 | $50,000 | K. R. & A. J. Mahoney | JSL Racing | A$9,150 |
| 14 | Gotham | B. G Onemorenomore x Krysia | J L McVean | K1 | $65,000 | Windsor Park Stud | McVean Racing | $8,800 |
| 15 | Selfie | B. G Thewayyouare x Miss Brownie | R D Collett | K3 | $40,000 | Windsor Park Stud | The Robt Dawe Agency Ltd | $8,175 |
| 16 | O'Dianne | B. F O'Reilly x Breezy | S J McKee | K1 | $120,000 | Waikato Stud Ltd | TJ McKee | $7,200 |
| 17 | Billy Mojo | B. C Mastercraftsman x British Dame | S B Marsh | K2 | $60,000 | Windsor Park Stud | Go Racing Ltd | $6,875 |
| 18 | Savason | B. C Savabeel x Pin Oak | G A Rogerson | K2 | $75,000 | Trelawney Stud Ltd | D Howell | $6,000 |
| 19 | The Justice League | B. C I Am Invincible x L'Artiste | N W Tiley | K2 | $50,000 | Lyndhurst Farm | Nigel Tiley | $5,900 |
| 20 | Perfect Harmonee | B. G Nadeem x Harmony | P S Belsham | K2 | $18,000 | Cambridge Stud | PS Belsham | $4,900 |
To view the full Order of Entry, click here.
Ellerslie Racecourse will be open Tuesday morning for any horse intending to run in the Karaka Million race to pacework or have a gallop at 7.30am.
Hardline (NZ) (Showcasing) has made the trip from Australia with trainer Liam Birchley and has confirmed a trip to Ellerslie in the morning before his New Zealand debut on Sunday. He will be accompanied by Scooter O’Reilly (NZ) (O’Reilly). Billy Mojo (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) will have his first Ellerslie gallop with top qualifier Showboy (NZ) (Showcasing).
The Karaka Million Twilight Meeting at Ellerslie on 25 January is also set to feature the $100,000 Karaka 3YO Mile. This race is open to graduates of the 2013 National Yearling Sales Series who entered the Karaka Million Series.
The Twilight Meeting also features the newly introduced $100,000 Windsor Park Stud Karaka Stayers Cup. Any horse sold or passed in at a New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale Series is eligible to enter.
For more information on the Karaka Million Series, click here.