One Heck of a Party

The second annual Karaka Million Twilight Meeting at Ellerslie racecourse was dominated by The Heckler taking the spoils in the one million dollar feature and New Zealand's richest two-year-old event, the 2009 Karaka Million.

The Heckler on his way to Karaka Million victory.

The Heckler (Lucky Owner's - Comedy Café, by Rory's Jester) provided a fitting victory for owners Sir Patrick Hogan, Peter Walker, Alistair Sutherland and Tony Timpson who are enthusiastic supporters of New Zealand racing and regular faces at Karaka, and purchased The Heckler specifically to target the $1,000,000 Karaka Million.

Perfectly conditioned by the father and son combination of Murray and Bjorn Baker, The Heckler was given a trouble-free run by Michael Rodd who always had his charge travelling with adequate cover nothing to stop his momentum building into the final turn.

The race leader Ransom Success (Red Ransom - Tully Tango, by Danehill) quickly wilted in the home straight and the Liam Birchley trained Sarge in Charge (Golan - Dainty, by Fairy King) took over in the final 400m after a terrible trip four wide for most of the journey.

The son of Golan hung tough in front but his work throughout told late and The Heckler bounded clear close to the line to win by one and a half lengths from Sarge in Charge, with a further three-quarters of a length back to the third placed Bewitch (Bachelor Duke - Star of Flight, by Marscay) who put in a huge effort.

The win was well received by a jovial Alistair Sutherland, part-owner of the The Heckler and responsible for selecting him from the 2008 Karaka Select Sale.

"It's a great thrill. I've won a few group one races, but winning this race is a special thrill."

"It was a touch of genius by Michael Rodd. They should have this race after the sales, because the stakes will probably go straight out the door, as we're not great savers."

The welcome event for all those attending the Karaka 2009 Yearling Sales Series was conducted in the great spirit of Kiwi hospitality, with record numbers on-course at Ellerslie.

Woodridge farm, owned by Alan and Galene Tait sold the bay gelding at last year's Select Sale for $70,000. Woodridge Farm will offer a King's Chapel colt and a Viking Ruler filly at the 2009 Karaka Select Sale.

The Taits will receive the $10,000 vendor's bonus from New Zealand Bloodstock for selling the winning two-year-old, while the vendors of the thirteen other contestants will receive $2,000 for having a starter in the race.

The Heckler was the first stakes winner for the Widden Stud based sire and Hong Kong Champion Miler, Kiwi-bred Lucky Owners (Danehill) who is represented by three progeny in Karaka's Select Session.

Cambridge Stud will also offer a Zabeel colt out of Miss Power Bird at Lot 132, his dam is a half-sister to Lucky Owners, and the colt is closely related to Might and Power (Zabeel).