Planet Rocks into Karaka Million Contention

Ellerslie's $11,000 'Countdown to Karaka Million' 2YO 1200m has granted another two-year-old a chance to gun for one million dollars, with race favourite Planet Rock taking the valuable winnings.

With the entire field Karaka Million eligible, the win adds $6,400 to Planet Rock's previous winnings of $3,000, putting her in 11th�place on the Order of Entry with $9,400.

Trained by Peter & Dawn Williams in Riccarton, Planet Rock (Fastnet Rock x Akris) has had just one previous start, finishing less than half a length from smart two-year-old Super Easy, himself just beaten a nose in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.�With all the form stacking up around this filly she looks to have a big chance heading into the target Karaka Million (Res.L) at Ellerslie on 30 January.

The Williams training partnership has already established an impressive record at Ellerslie, having won the Auckland Cup, Railway Handicap, Dunstan Final, and finishing second in the New Zealand Derby.�

Bred by Bill Gleeson and sold through his Wellfield Stud for $290,000 at the Karaka Premier Sale, Planet Rock is raced by Mrs SC Green and Mr GC Beemsterboer.

In second place was the Karaka Million eligible Heza Rebel (Perfectly Ready x Clifton) who adds $2,000 to his prize money tally, taking him to $2,350, still short of making the top 14.�In third was Flashy Fella (Thorn Park x Volkschine) who adds $1000 to his current earnings of $400.

Heading the current Order of Entry is still Antonio Lombardo�(Pins x Petit Verdot) with two wins and a second collected early in the season. Trained by Peter McKay, the colt had his last outing in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes on New Year's Day, finishing fourth behind Anabandana (not eligible), Super Easy (eligible) and Savabill (eligible).

There are just five two-year-old events between now and the Karaka Million, including the $85,000 Group 2 Westbury Stud Wakefield Challenge Stakes which could shake up the Order of Entry with the lucrative stake having the ability to catapult a current outsider into contention.�

The final fourteen-horse field for the 2011 Karaka Million will be determined according to the most prize money won by the horses that nominate for the race.

The up-to-date Order of Entry can be viewed online in the lead up to the feature race which will be run on the eve of the Karaka Premier Sale. Prime Minister John Key will provide the presentation to the winning connections.

For news and sale information from New Zealand Bloodstock visit http://www.nzb.co.nz/.