Topweight Too Tough in Karaka Cup

Carrying a testing topweight of 60 kilograms, gutsy gelding Five To Midnight (NZ) (Domesday) showed all of his fighting qualities to win Saturday’s $100,000 CollinsonForex Karaka Cup (2200m) at Ellerslie.

Bought for $165,000 at the 2014 Select Sale at Karaka, the Awapuni stayer has amassed more than $500,000 in prize-money with three stakes wins and another 12 placings at black-type level. He was a close second in last year’s Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m).

Overlooked on Saturday in favour of a couple of his lighter-weighted rivals, Five To Midnight claimed a deserved and popular victory.

Perfectly ridden by Johnathan Parkes, the six-year-old settled towards the rear of the field along the rail. He angled into the clear with around 500 metres to go, and was challenging for the lead at the top of the straight.

The favourite Mongolian Marshal (NZ) (High Chaparral) went with him and seemed to take the upper hand as they battled it out over the last 250 metres, but Five To Midnight dug deep and found a little bit more, taking the win by a head.

“He’s a really good, tough stayer,” Parkes said. “He’s carried 60 kilograms again today, and he’s had 59 or 60 in all his starts this season.

“I was able to get off the rail at the right time and he won it really well.”

Trainer Lisa Latta was full of admiration for her standout stayer.

“He’s such a tough horse,” Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta said. “He ran a great race here last time in the City of Auckland Cup (fifth), with the fastest last 600 metres.

“We freshened him up for this – he seems to really thrive with short breaks in the paddock.”

Five To Midnight has now had 41 starts for nine wins, 14 placings and $577,490 in prizemoney for owners Kamada Racing.

Runner-up Mongolian Marshal cost $220,000 at the 2016 Premier Sale and has earned $239,625 with five wins from 15 starts. Third-placed Sacred Day (NZ) (Azamour) cost $90,000 at the 2016 Select Sale and has earned $50,150 in his short career to date.

Out of the winning Fastnet Rock mare Fastnet Lady, Five To Midnight was bred by The Oaks Stud.