Super Easy Adds Singapore Flavour to Karaka Million

New Zealand's richest two-year-old race, the Karaka Million, is now less than two weeks away, and the competition for a place in the field has seen some strong contests on the track.

Super Easy was bought by Singapore-based trainer Michael Freedman under the Blue Sky Thoroughbreds banner for $140,000 from Esker Lodge. He was the first horse Freedman had purchased for Singapore's Joy N Happiness Stable.

"It was the first time I had bought a horse for his owners over in Singapore. We had the idea of buying a colt from the Karaka Sales and leaving him in New Zealand for 12 months, and if he showed some promise, aim him at the Karaka Million. Happily the plan is coming together so far and he looks like he's in with a good chance."

Super Easy (Darci Brahma x Parfore) is well-placed in the Karaka Million Order of Entry, sitting in fourth position with $23,025 in stakes. The two-year-old was the first winner for his sire Darci Brahma and is one of three John Sargent trained runners inside the top 14 in the Order of Entry.

Showing some early promise, the colt was sent to the trials on two occasions prior to making his raceday debut, winning them both.

His first start on the track in the KPR Catering 2YO Handicap (1000m) on December 4 saw Super Easy score a victory on debut. In a tough performance, the colt was made to fight as he and fellow NZB graduate Planet Rock (Fastnet Rock) were stride for stride for much of the Trentham straight. Winning by a nose at the line, there was a gap of almost five lengths to the third placed Elusive Red (Elusive City).

The win by Super Easy is an excellent form guide for the Karaka Million as Planet Rock beat a top field home in the Countdown to the Karaka Million 2YO at Ellerslie on Saturday; and Elusive Red went on to beat a good field home in the NZB 2YO Premier in mid-December. 

Super Easy's only second ever start came in the Group 3 Stella Artois Eclipse Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year's Day where he was beaten a nose by the tough filly Anabandana (Anabaa) who isn't eligible for the Karaka Million. The performance also saw him beat fellow John Sargent trained Savabill, another horse in the stable that has shown real potential, and is heading for the feature race.

 Michael Freedman is one who is particularly pleased with how the horse is coming along.  "His first start was very impressive, he ran a good time and the form out of that race was strong. I thought he was a bit unlucky in his last start, he was taken on in front and had to fight the horses coming from the back, but he showed plenty of determination which was good to see.

"He seems to have a fair bit of talent, he has a good turn of foot, is fairly tractable and, from what I am told, a sensible horse as well so we are expecting him to run well in the Karaka Million.

"Win, lose or draw, he will be heading to the spelling paddock, and pending how he goes we will decide whether to bring him straight up to Singapore or aim him at further two-year-old races later in the season."

The maximum 14-horse field in the Karaka Million will be determined by prizemoney won. There are just five two-year-old events left before the big race, including the $85,000 Group 2 Westbury Stud Wakefield Challenge Stakes.

The $200,000 Karaka 3YO Mile has also seen a host of international interest, with the Mark Wallace trained Miss Confidential (Stratum x Exquisitely) looking a likely contender. Raced by owners in England, Australia and NZ, the filly has only been to the races on four occasions in Australia, and has recorded three wins and a second placing, and trainer Mark Wallace has a high opinion of the horse.

"She has been running very well over here. Her last start was simply to get a run into her before she goes over, and despite showing a preference for a good track, the dead footing did little to slow her down and she won easily.

"The race will be her first start over a mile but she has been crying out for it. Had her last start been over 1600 metres she would have dealt to the field, so we are confident that the extra distance will be in her favour.

"She will be coming over next week, and as long as she travels well and settles in, she has to be a good chance. Her form stacks up and she will be fit and ready come race day, so she should run well." 

The Karaka 3YO Mile Order of Entry is based on NZ domestic ratings and horses with Australian form will have a NZ domestic rating supplied to them by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. To view the Karaka Million and Karaka 3YO Mile Order of Entries, click here.

The Karaka Million Twilight meeting, which also features the Karaka 3YO Mile, will be held at Ellerslie Racecourse on Sunday 30 January with the first race at 5pm. For information on the meeting and the up and coming Karaka Yearling Sales, please contact New Zealand Bloodstock or visit www.nzb.co.nz.