Te Akau Reclaims TAB Karaka Millions 2YO Crown

For the eighth time in the last nine years, Te Akau Racing reigned supreme in the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie with a dazzling performance by La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) in Saturday’s juvenile showpiece.

La Dorada was bought by David Ellis for $190,000 from the Book 1 draft of breeders Waikato Stud at Karaka 2024. The exciting filly has now had three starts for two wins, a second and $615,125 in stakes.

Ellis had previously purchased seven consecutive Karaka Millions 2YO winners between 2017 and 2023 - Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), Avantage (Fastnet Rock), Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel), Cool Aza Beel (NZ) (Savabeel), On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau), Dynastic (NZ) (Almanzor) and Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin).

The sequence was interrupted with a second placing by Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) last year, but now La Dorada has put Te Akau back on top of the podium.

“Well done to David Ellis, who has now bought eight individual winners of this race,” co-trainer Mark Walker said. “You can go anywhere in the world and you’d struggle to find anyone else with a record like that.

“It’s terrific to win this race, and great for Sam (Bergerson, co-trainer). He’s had to sustain a lot of pressure with me spending a lot of time in Melbourne. Full credit to him and all of our team.

“It’s always good to win on this big stage. It’s fun to be a part of this night. Full credit to NZB and everyone involved. It’s a big night on the New Zealand racing calendar, and Te Akau loves to be a part of it.”

La Dorada was an impressive winner on debut at Te Rapa in November, then an eye-catching second in the Group Two Eclipse Stakes (1200m) on New Year’s Day.

She was ridden on Saturday by Craig Williams, who settled in second spot on the inside of the front-running Hello Romeo (NZ) (Hello Youmzain).

Williams pushed the button in the straight and La Dorada sprinted away from Hello Romeo to take a clear lead. Vega For Luck (NZ) (Lucky Vega), Miss Ziggy (NZ) (Brazen Beau) and fellow Te Akau runner To Bravery Born (NZ) (Snitzel) chased hard and ate into the margin, but there was no catching La Dorada. She scored a commanding victory by a length and three-quarters.

“I had the right filly and she was really good today,” Williams said. “She gave me a lovely ride throughout. The instructions weren’t overly specific. They were confident in the product that they had.”

La Dorada is by last season’s champion first-season sire Super Seth, who has 27 yearlings catalogued for Karaka 2025.

Saturday’s second placegetter Vega For Luck was a $60,000 purchase from Book 1 of Karaka 2024. He has earned $203,950 from a five-start career that has produced a win and three placings.

The third placegetter was South Island raider Miss Ziggy, who cost $250,000 in Book 1 of Karaka 2024. She has had five starts for three placings and has banked $100,500 to date.

Vendor	Waikato Stud Ltd
Purchaser	Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) (Te Akau)
Breeding	Super Seth – Gold Fever
Sale	Lot 109, Karaka 2024 Book 1, $190,000
Bred by	Chittick Investments Ltd & Waikato Stud Ltd