Unbeaten Trial Winner To Sell at Karaka on Friday

Amongst the potential on offer at NZB's Spring Bloodstock Sale on Friday will be a four-year-old Al Akbar gelding at Lot 65 who yesterday remained unbeaten at the trials when winning his second over 1000m at Otaki.

Making his performance more special was the fact that he was the only maiden galloper to break 1.03.00 at Otaki yesterday, running the second fastest time of the day (including the four Open Handicap 1000m catchweight events).

This is not the first time the Garth Andrew's trained galloper has run the fastest time of the day. His victory at the Foxton trials was also the quickest of the day.

The four-year-old Al Akbar gelding - from the unraced mare On the Murray (Bagalot) - beat eight opposition yesterday with one and a quarter lengths back to second place, and a further six lengths back to the third placed galloper.

Leading Central Districts jockey Lisa Allpress has ridden the gelding on both occasions and she delivered a glowing report after his effort.

"He was really impressive yesterday" said Lisa."He had the other horses under pressure a long way from home and he won nicely without me even letting his head go."

The well-related Al Akbar gelding is a half-brother to ten winners, all of which have won two races or more, and a half-brother to the dam of Group 3 Stoney Bridge Stakes winner and Group 1 Captain Cook placed O'Ceirins Angel, also by Al Akbar.

Amongst the ten winners are three full siblings who have recorded 10 wins between them throughout New Zealand, Singapore, and Malaysia.

The Al Akbar - On the Murray gelding will have a full-set of x-rays available for vet inspection from Friday morning and all buyers are welcome to inspect the gelding at Karaka from Thursday afternoon in Barn H.

For more information the Karaka Spring Bloodstock Sale visit http://www.nzb.co.nz/.

Catalogues are available from reception@nzb.co.nz.