Sarge in Charge of Karaka Million Order of Entry
29 December 2008
Liam Birchley's Sarge in Charge jumped to the top of the $1,000,000 Karaka Million Order of Entry after winning the Heineken 2YO Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Boxing Day.
Sarge in Charge (Golan - Dainty, by Fairy King) dominated his rivals in the event earning himself A$32,000 and an almost certain start in the final fourteen-horse field. Jockey Shane Scriven gave Birchley a glowing report and said Sarge in Charge would benefit from the outing.
"He relaxed nicely and came back under me when I asked him to take the sit early," Scriven said.
"It was a good effort. He impressed me and he'll be better off with that experience under his belt."
A NZ$110,000 by Aquanita Racing Pty Ltd at the 2008 Karaka Select Sale from Windsor Park Stud, Birchley confirmed that the gelding will have his next start in the $1,000,000 Karaka Million on 25 January at Ellerslie.
"I've never had a horse by Golan before but he caught my eye at the sales and I bought him as a staying type," Birchley said.
"Golan is usually a sire of stayers but this bloke has always been a very precocious horse and he's got plenty of ability. He'll head straight to New Zealand providing he comes through this race well and pulls up in good shape."
Birchley will be able to confirm his travel arrangements once New Zealand authorities remove the current quarantine restrictions between Australia and New Zealand post Australia's equine influenza epidemic. An announcement that will see all restrictions removed is expected early in the New Year, allowing Australian-based horses to contest the Karaka Million for the very first time.
The only other change to the Top 10 Karaka Million entrants thus far came in number sixth position.
The Heckler (Lucky Owners - Comedy Cafe, by Rory's Jester) earned $18,000 for his debut win at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, and jumped to sixth position in the current KM Order of Entry. The bay gelding looked ultra-impressive in the hands of Michael Coleman, leading all the way, and kicking on to score by one-and-three-quarter lengths in the aptly named Countdown to Karaka 2YO (1100m).
The Heckler was a $70,000 purchase from Woodridge Farm at the 2008 Karaka Select Sale by Peter Walker, who now shares in the ownership of the gelding with Sir Patrick Hogan, Tony Timpson, and Alistar Sutherland.
The gelding is the second Karaka Million entrant for trainers Murray and Bjorn Baker that is currenty in the top fourteen on the Order of Entry. Veldt (Volksraad - Jumble, by Kaapstad), their last start winner, currently sits in fourteenth position.