The Way In to the Karaka Million

The famous colours of Bonecrusher are back in the winner’s circle and looking to claim some of New Zealand’s best races with Way In (NZ) (Thewayyouare) announcing herself as a major contender for the Karaka Million with victory in the $15,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Pearl Series 2YO (1200m) on Saturday at Ellerslie.

The countdown to the New Zealand’s richest race – the $1m Karaka Million – is heating up with every runner in Saturday’s event looking to qualify for the esteemed race on 26 January.

The Shaune Ritchie trained filly was guaranteed a start in the Karaka Million before Saturday’s race but had not raced since a disappointing effort in the Listed Wentwood Grange Stakes at Te Rapa last month.

The filly by first season sire Thewayyouare jumped from barrier 7 in the 10-horse race and rider Danielle Johnson took Way In through a gap near the outside of the field in the straight to sprint away from the field. A spirited challenge from Riding Shotgun (NZ) (Iffraaj), who found a gap near the rails, made the race very close as the pair hit the line together.

After a long look at the photo finish by the judge, Way In was announced as the winner by the slenderest of margins from Riding Shotgun with Coachella (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) finishing third a further length away.

“We are very excited to have her in the Karaka Million, it will be my first runner in the race,” said Ritchie. “We have given her a programme that has suited her, she has experience over a lot of other runners in the race.

“It is a luxury to already have the money in the bank but having a look at Ellerslie was imperative, it is a very undulating track. It is one of those tracks that horse benefit from having a look at it.

“It is always a risk coming through the field. It would be nice to have a Ruud Awakening that went straight to the lead and made her own luck but unfortunately she doesn’t possess that gate speed.

“She will almost certainly get back in the Karaka Million so she will need a little bit of luck. She does have a great turn of foot so we are hoping she gets the right gap at the right time and finishes the race off as good if not better than she did on Saturday.

“The Mitchells are very good clients. Bonecrusher is 31-years-old and I see him about three times a year. He probably would give the Karaka Million field a fright he looks so bright, the old man is a very happy horse. It is amazing what he has put his heart through as a racehorse to still be alive and shows the character of the horse.”

Way In has now won two races from five starts as well being placed at stakes level and earned $25,625 in prizemoney for her owners P J & S R Mitchell, R J de Lautour, G W Halse & A P Ritchie. She has also earned a further $16,000 in Pearl Series Bonuses.

Saturday’s win gave the filly a second NZB Insurance Pearl Series Bonus of $8,000 for connections following her win on debut in a Pearl Series event. The Bonus added with the $9,000 stake for winning the race saw connections of the horse earn $17,000 for the victory in the $15,000 race.

The filly sits third in the Order of Entry for the Karaka Million – Pearl Series Bonuses are excluded in the Order of Entry – with Jackofall (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) still at the top of the list. Riding Shotgun appears to have cemented a place in the Karaka Million field, his $14,450 has him sixth in the Order of Entry. Coachella moves into spot 18 with $5,600.

Bred by N D Landers, Way In is by first season sire Thewayyouare who has had two winners from only four runners from his first crop. She is out of Danehill mare Small Parcels who is also the dam of the six-time winner and stakes performer Hell Yeah (Pyrus).

Thewayyouare is represented by 19 yearlings at Karaka 2014 including a half-brother to dual Horse of the Year Xcellent (Pentire) catalogued at Lot 468 in the Premier Sale.

Way In was purchased by Shaune Ritchie at the 2013 Karaka Select Sale for $52,500 from Bradbury Park.