Superb Field for Karaka Million 3YO Classic
24 January 2019
The Karaka Million 3YO Classic is a race with growing importance on the New Zealand calendar, as illustrated by an outstanding field assembled for the 2019 edition at Ellerslie on Saturday.
The 1600-metre race, which this year will be run for a $1m stake for the second time, features two Group 1 winners, three Group 2 winners and four other black-type winners.
The headline act is Madison County (NZ) (Pins), who cost just $36,000 at the Select Sale. He has earned more than $530,000 for the China Horse Club, headed by Group 1 victories in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Levin Classic (1600m) in his last two starts.
The $425,000 Premier Sale purchase Media Sensation (I Am Invincible) leads the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, courtesy of a high-class victory in the Group 1 Gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.
Surely Sacred (NZ) (Rock ‘N’ Pop) is a last start winner of the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1600m), while Pinmedown (NZ) (Pins) and Imelda Mary (NZ) (Ferlax) won the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) and Royal Stakes (2000m) respectively.
Hypnos (NZ) (Reliable Man) was a Listed winner at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, then ran second to Madison County in the Levin Classic.
Sir Nate (NZ) (Nadeem) was a Listed winner last season and placed in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, and he added another placing in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas.
Long Leaf (Fastnet Rock) was one of the standout lots at the 2017 Premier Sale, selling for $750,000. He has won three races in Australia for trainers David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, two of those at stakes level, and returns to these shores to make his New Zealand debut on Saturday.
The well-related filly Queen of Diamonds (NZ) (Savabeel) was another high-priced yearling, fetching $640,000 at the 2017 Premier Sale. She has won two races including the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1550m), and she was third in the Eight Carat Classic.
The Karaka Million 3YO Classic will be run as the final race on Saturday’s programme, Race 6, with a start time of 7.48pm.
| # | HORSE | DRAW | BREEDING | TRAINER | SALE | PRICE | VENDOR | PURCHASER | TOTAL STAKES |
| 1 | Madison County | 7 | 3 g Pins - Red Delicious | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | K2 | $36,000 | Waikato Stud | China Horse Club | $530,935 |
| 2 | Hypnos | 6 | 3 g Reliable Man - Quality Dream | Roger James & Robert Wellwood | K2 | $50,000 | Westbury Stud | Mr RA James | $88,150 |
| 3 | Sir Nate | 12 | 3 c Nadeem - Just Diamonds | Lisa Latta | K2 | $65,000 | Little Avondale Stud | Lisa Latta Racing | $162,875 |
| 4 | Surely Sacred | 4 | 3 g Rock 'N' Pop - Not Sure | Tony Pike | K1 | $160,000 | Waikato Stud | Raffles Racing | $79,900 |
| 5 | Long Leaf | 11 | 3 c Fastnet Rock - Frustrating | David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig | K1 | $750,000 | Curraghmore | BBA Ireland | A$402,550 |
| 6 | In A Twinkling | 3 | 3 g Fastnet Rock - Moment In Time | Jamie Richards | K1 | $250,000 | Curraghmore | Mr DC Ellis | $47,475 |
| 7 | Langkawi | 15 | 3 g Helmet - Shortblackmini | Peter McKay | K1 | $55,000 | Seaton Park | Mr PN & Mrs K McKay | $54,840 |
| 8 | Swords Drawn | 8 | 3 c Camelot - Sarvon | Shaune Ritchie | K1 | $140,000 | Cambridge Stud | Mr SF Ritchie | $25,725 |
| 9 | Prise De Fer | 2 | 3 g Savabeel - Foiled | Jamie Richards | K1 | $100,000 | Trelawney Stud | Mr DC Ellis | $13,125 |
| 10 | Prince Albert | 1 | 3 c Savabeel - Lady Alberton | Stephen Marsh | K1 | $130,000 | Mapperley Stud | Go Racing | $9,100 |
| 11 | Super Gee | 5 | 3 g Super Easy - Arctic Heights | Chris Gibbs & Michelle Bradley | K3 | $10,000 | Haunui Farm | Logan Racing Stables | $32,000 |
| 12 | Red Dynamo | 17 | 3 g Ekraar - Diva In Red | Chris Gibbs & Michelle Bradley | K3 | $10,000 | Carter Bloodstock Ltd | NZB as agent | $6,250 |
| 13 | Media Sensation | 18 | 3 f I Am Invincible - Different To | Peter & Dawn Williams | K1 | $425,000 | Lime Country Thoroughbreds | Mr GC Beemsterboer | $248,875 |
| 14 | Pinmedown | 14 | 3 f Pins - Alleyway | Michael Moroney & Pam Gerard | K2 | $28,000 | Ardsley Stud | Paul Moroney Bloodstock | $67,750 |
| 15 | Imelda Mary | 16 | 3 f Ferlax - Eleesha | Wayne Hillis | K3 | $3,500 | Haunui Farm | Mr WP & Mrs VD Hillis | $91,350 |
| 16 | Queen Of Diamonds | 10 | 3 f Savabeel - Love Diamonds | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | K1 | $640,000 | Cambridge Stud | China Horse Club | $58,675 |
| 17 | Miss Labasa | 9 | 3 f Swiss Ace - Savoia | John Bary | K2 | $30,000 | Wentwood Grange | N & P Balia Family Trust | $28,125 |
| 18 | The Real Beel | 13 | 3 f Savabeel - Ahna | Jim Pender | K1 | $110,000 | Waikato Stud | Mr DC Ellis | $32,950 |