Mastercraftsman Laying Challenge for 2014 Karaka Million

The race to the $1m Karaka Million is taking shape with the young son of Mastercraftsman in Jackofall (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) regaining his position at the head of the Order of Entry with a compelling victory in the Listed $50,000 Murdoch Newell Stakes (1100m) at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Jackofall (NZ) (inside) winning the Listed Murdoch Newell Stakes at Pukekohe.

The two-year-old colt was at the head of the Karaka Million Order of Entry with a win and two second placings from his first three starts until last weekend’s Listed Welcome Stakes runner up Serein (NZ) (Postponed) took over, however the filly’s lead was shortlived.

The Lisa Latta trained Jackofall travelled from Palmerston North for Saturday’s stakes race and was handed the visitors draw, jumping from the outside barrier. He didn’t begin the best for rider Jonathan Riddell but quickly recovered to loop the field and find the front after taking the first corner three-wide.

The Karaka Select Sale graduate was able to hold off all challengers down the long Pukekohe straight despite working hard earlier in the race. A strong bid from Way In (NZ) (Thewayyouare) to finish second, a long head from the winner, resulted in a quinella for Karaka graduates.

“I was confident he had the ability to win but was concerned because he drew the outside and it was his first time right-handed,” commented Latta.

“He was three-wide around the first corner before he got to lead so it was a really good effort to win.

“It was the plan to give him a trip away for this race. He will go to the paddock now for two or three weeks and then we will go to Ellerslie a fortnight before the Karaka Million.”

Latta is no stranger to Karaka Million success having won the showpiece event in 2011 with Fort Lincoln (Charge Forward) and believes she has another leading chance this season.

“This horse has probably shown a bit more early on than Fort Linclon. He is a lovely type of horse with a great attitude.”

Jackofall is the from the first southern hemisphere crop of Mastercraftsman and becomes his sire’s first southern hemisphere stakes winner.

Jackofall is owned by Kamada Racing Partnership, J C McNeill, B & Mrs L M Purvis & S J Scott and has earned his connections $46,025 in prizemoney, giving him a lead of nearly $30,000 clear in the Karaka Million Order of Entry from Way In who moved into second place.

Bred by Mrs H G & W G Bax & Go Bloodstock New Zealand Ltd, Jackofall is the first winner for his dam Wizard Princess (Rory’s Jester), a half-sister to Group 1 winner Cheeky Choice (Redoute’s Choice).

Latta purchased Jackofall at the 2013 Karaka Select Sale for $34,000 from Blandford Lodge. The Select Sale has a great strike rate of producing Karaka Million runners with more starters in the six-year history of the race coming from the Select Sale than any other session.

The 2014 Karaka Million Twilight Meeting is quickly approaching with this season’s date to be 26 January. The $1m Karaka Million is the highlight race on the night with the $100,000 Karaka 3YO Mile a notable undercard event.

The 2014 Karaka Million Twilight Meeting has had major boost with the inception of the new $100,000 Karaka Stayers Cup over 2200m to be run for the first time this season. This new race is open to all Karaka graduates for 2014 with any horse bought or passed in at the NZB National Yearling Sales Series eligible to enter the race.

For more information on the Karaka Million and news from New Zealand Bloodstock visit www.nzb.co.nz.