NZB Weanling Graduate Reigns in Rangitikei Gold Cup

The catalogue for next month’s NZB National Weanling Sale went live during the week, and Saturday’s $80,000 Listed James Bull Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) at Otaki provided a timely illustration of the quality of weanlings that can be sourced from the Karaka sale ring.

Riverplate (NZ) (Flying Artie) was offered by Curraghmore as a weanling during the 2019 Karaka May Sale and was bought by Ben Kwok for $55,000. He has now had 42 starts for eight wins, nine placings and $445,665 in stakes.

Riverplate is trained and part-owned by Andrew Campbell, who later bought him out of the Leanach Lodge draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2020.

Previously a five-time winner in Australia, Riverplate has returned home this season and has come into a rich vein of autumn form. His last six starts, dating back to March 21, have now produced three wins including the Rangitikei Gold Cup. He has also picked up a second placing during that period along with a sixth in the Listed Anzac 1600 and a ninth in the Listed Flying Handicap (1400m).

The seven-year-old led every step of the way on Saturday after jumping well from the starting gate for apprentice jockey Toni Davies.

Davies hugged the rail coming around the home turn and Riverplate had a powerful kick, opening up a three or four-length lead coming past the 200-metre mark. The challengers tried in vain to pick him up, led by gallant runner-up Talisker (NZ) (Embellish), but Riverplate was still two lengths clear at the finish line.

“That was just an awesome win,” Campbell said. “In fact, it might be at the top of my list, even though we have won some big races. Just to have this guy come back from where he has been, and to win his first stakes race as a seven-year-old, is simply amazing.

“It’s just a feel-good story all round. He has a great group of owners who have been with me a long time, plus all my stable staff have a small share in him.

“We have been trying him at the beach and he is thriving. It works out well.

“It was a gun ride by Toni, her first time aboard and she rated him perfectly.

“I don’t have any plans for the horse. He will be back to the beach again on Monday and we can look around after that. The way he won today, he might even get to 2000 metres, but that is something we will think about a little later on.

“He is eventually going to become the family pet when he does finish on the track, and I know my kids will love that.”

Saturday’s second placegetter Talisker was a $70,000 purchase by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis from Book 1 of Karaka 2022. He has earned $310,585 from a 21-race career that has produced five wins and nine placings.

The third horse home was Tisse (NZ) (Belardo), who was bought by his trainer Allan Sharrock for $30,000 from Book 2 of Karaka 2022. He has had 22 starts for four wins, eight placings and $163,245.

The 2026 edition of NZB's National Weanling Sale will take place at the Karaka Sales Centre on Thursday 25 June 2026 from 11am (NZT). As well as the new black-type winner Riverplate, other notable NZB weanling graduates include recent stakes performers Jedibeel (NZ) (Staphanos), Pivotal Ten (NZ) (Ten Sovereigns) and Sir Albert (NZ) (Savabeel), plus Group One winners Pignan (NZ) (Staphanos), Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante), Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) and more.

All weanlings offered are eligible to be nominated for NZB’s lucrative Karaka Millions Series featuring the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m).

Weanlings entered in the sale will be available for inspections at the on-farm parades, due to take place in early June, and on-site at Karaka Sales Centre, with NZB agents available to inspect on behalf of buyers. On-farm parade schedule available soon.

Vendor	Karaka May Sale: CurraghmoreKaraka 2020: Leanach Lodge Ltd
Purchaser	Karaka May Sale: Mr CW Kwok (Hong Kong)Karaka 2020: Mr AR Campbell (Waikato)
Breeding	Flying Artie – Dynastic Lady
Sale	Lot 154, 2019 Karaka May Sale, $55,000Lot 564, Karaka 2020 Book 1, $30,000
Breeder	Go Bloodstock New Zealand Ltd
Owner	Thomas Heptinstall, John Barnao, Christopher Barnao, Thomas Pivac, David Platt, Andrew Campbell, Nicki Cruickshank, Withonel Syndicate & David Monnery