More Black-Type Success for Kamada’s Karaka Graduates

Kamada Park principal Kevin Pratt has had an outstanding few weeks with graduates of Karaka sales, and that great run continued on Thursday when Kolonel Kev (NZ) (Darci Brahma) took out the $50,000 Listed Craigmore Timaru Cup (1600m) at Phar Lap Raceway.

It followed earlier successes with Five To Midnight (NZ) (Domesday), the $165,000 Select Sale purchase who in his last two starts has won the $100,000 Group 3 Waikato Cup (2400m) and finished second in the $100,000 Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m).

Kolonel Kev was bought for $200,000 at the 2013 Premier Sale by Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta, who won five races with the gelding before he relocated to Terri Rae’s Riccarton stable. Kolonel Kev is now unbeaten in two starts from his new quarters, including the biggest win of his career to date.

Ridden by Masa Tanaka, the six-year-old trailed the leader through the early part of the race before moving out in the straight to make his bid. He dashed to the lead inside the last 200 metres and went clear to win by three-quarters of a length.

“The horse is obviously thriving in the South Island environment and Terri is a very good trainer,” Tanaka said. “He’s always been a nice horse and he felt amazing today. He was too strong in the straight.”

Bred by Pencarrow Stud’s Sir Peter and the late Philip Vela, Kolonel Kev has now had 35 starts for seven wins, nine placings and $200,950 in prizemoney.