NZB Grafton Cup Trifecta

Karaka graduates filled the first three places in yesterday's $150,000 Listed Grafton Cup (2350m), headed by the New Zealand owned, bred and trained Castle Heights.

Steered by Stathi Katsidis, Castle Heights (Golan x Caernarfon, by Volksraad) travelled easily in running and saved ground close to the rail rounding the final bend into the home straight.

In the final 200 metres from home the big framed four-year-old had his head in front and galloped strongly to the line, eventually beating fellow Karaka graduates Hume (Zabeel x Lolette, by Arazi) by a nose, and Twin Wing (Istidaad x Tiger Moth, by Sky Chase) by a further half-head.

The result was some achievement for the Donna, Dean Logan, and Chris Gibbs trained galloper considering his first victory came on this season's open day (August 1) at Whangarei, and he has since accumulated over $200,000 in prize-money with six victories in fourteen starts.

The black-type earned by Castle Heights was his first, though he had performed well in New Zealand beforehand when finishing fourth and fifth in the Group 2 City of Auckland Cup and Group 2 Wellington Cup respectively.

Windsor Park Stud's $14,000 Karaka Select Sale yearling will now be aimed at the Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m), a race which his trainers captured with Victory Smile (Victory Dance) in 2002.

The 2008 Grafton Cup was also won by a Karaka graduate in Art Success (Pentire), a winner of the Group 1 Brisbane Cup, proving the Group 1 step is possible.

Castle Heights became the eighth stakes-winner for promising young sire Golan (Spectrum) who has already produced a Group 1 winner in Victoria Derby victor Kibbutz.

The only opportunity buyers will have of securing a son of Golan at auction over the next month will occur at the 2009 South Island Sale on 7 August.

Lot 83 - Chestnut Colt - Golan x Trice Time (Star Way) - Rich Hill Stud

��������� This colt is a direct descendant of Group 1 VRC Oaks and Group 1 VATC 1000 Guineas winner Toltrice (Matrice), as are Group 1 winners Red Dazzler, Keltrice, and Seltrice.

��������� Being out of Star Way mare Trice Time, this colt is bred on the same cross as Group 1 Queensland Derby placed Petushki (Golan) and $1,000,000 Karaka Million runner-up Sarge in Charge (Golan), whose second-dam is by Star Way.

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Guy Walter's Twin Wing, third behind Castle Heights in the 2009 Grafton Cup, has been a model of consistency this season having placed in three Listed staying events this season. His sire, Group 1 Australian Cup winner Istidaad, has proved an excellent sire of staying horses having left the likes of Group 1 NZ Oaks winner Justa Tad and this season's Group 2 BOP RC Japan New Zealand International Trophy winner, Ginga Dude.

Buyers wishing to secure the progeny of Istidaad at auction in the coming months will need to attend the 2009 South Island Sale of unbroken two-year-olds.

Three progeny by Istidaad will be presented including:

Lot 11 - Bay Filly - Istidaad x Marjie Kate (Felix the Cat) - Leafland Stud

��������� This filly is the second-foal of winner Marjie Kate, herself a half-sister to five winners including two-time winner of the Group 3 White Robe Lodge Handicap A Gordon for Me (La Grand Seigneur)

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�2009 South Island Sale - Lot 12 - Colt by Istidaad on account of Hedwood Thoroughbreds

Lot 12 - Bay Colt - Istidaad x Mayhem Rhythm (Sovereign Court) - Hedwood Thoroughbreds

��������� A colt from the family of South Island great Show Gate, a winner of thirty races from fifty starts.

Lot 45 - Grey Filly - Istidaad x Rose for Laurel (Oak Ridge) - Mr. Tony Cook

��������� This filly is a half-sister to three-time Australian winner Lawson, the first foal of her two time winning dam Roses for Laurel.

��������� Roses for Laurel is a full-sister to Group 2 Waikato Gold Cup winner Tunza Oak.

For more information and catalogues for New Zealand Bloodstock's upcoming Winter Mixed Bloodstock Sale (2 August) and South Island Sale (7 August) please contact reception@nzb.co.nz.