Silver City Karaka Million Bound

New Zealand's richest race, the $1 million Karaka Million, looks to have its first confirmed runner as the Stephen McKee trained Silver City held off his rivals to win the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1000m) on Saturday.

Coming into the race after winning his debut in early September, Silver City (NZ) (Nothing To Lose x She's Just Dreamy) jumped well for jockey Sam Spratt in Saturday's Listed event and raced on the speed where he kicked clear at the top of the straight.

But the two-year-old had to work for his victory as fellow NZB graduate Seleno (Thorn Park) came from well back with an impressive turn-of-foot, and ran Silver City to a long-neck at the post. With the pair putting six lengths on the rest of the field, they look to be two standout performers in the early New Zealand two-year-old ranks.

The win takes Silver City's record to two starts for two wins and he has extended his lead on the Karaka Million Order of Entry where he is now over $25,000 clear of his nearest rival Silk Pins (Pins) ($6,400) who won the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale 2011 at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Sitting in third place is Liberating with $5,000 who became the first Southern Hemisphere winner for her sire Iffraaj when claiming the two-year-old race at Wanganui in October by three lengths.

Bred by Bruce Russell, Silver City is the first stakes winner for his sire Nothing To Lose and was purchased by his trainer Stephen McKee from Bluegables Farm at the 2011 Karaka Festival Sale for $58,000. He has now won over $30,000 in stakes earnings.

To view the current Order of Entry for the 2012 Karaka Million, and a list of the eligible horses, click here.