Group 3 Win for May Sale Graduate Power O’Hata (NZ)

29 April 2018

Power O'Hata (NZ) stepped up to balck-type level taking out the Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes. Photo: Trish Dunell
Power O'Hata (NZ) stepped up to balck-type level taking out the Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes. Photo: Trish Dunell

The upcoming Karaka May Sale received a timely boost when untapped filly Power O’Hata (NZ) (Power) stepped up to black-type level with a win in Saturday’s $70,000 Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa.

Power O’Hata was offered as a yearling the 2016 edition of the Sale, formerly known as the National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Bloodstock Sale. From the draft of Cambridge Stud, she was knocked down to Cambridge bloodstock agent Marcus Corban for $50,000. At the same Sale, the filly’s dam Mumtaz (NZ) (Cape Cross) was sold for $60,000.

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Power O’Hata came up against a star-studded three-year-old field on Saturday, the sixth start of her career and her first at stakes level.

With Matt Cameron in the saddle, she saved ground along the inside before moving out into clear running at the top of the straight. Power O’Hata quickened stylishly to pass the front-running Merlini (I Am Invincible) 175 metres from the finish, then held out the fast-finishing Hanger (NZ) (O’Reilly) to win by a nose.

“She won by a nod of the head, but it was a brave effort,” Baker said. “She’s quite a promising filly. We haven’t done a lot with her.

“You don’t really know she’s there, she’s very quiet, but we’ve liked her right through.”

Raced by Standard 2080 Ltd, Power O’Hata has now had six starts for three wins and two placings with $58,750 in prizemoney.

The 2018 Karaka May Sale will be held on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th May, with a quality catalogue of 520 made up of weanlings, yearlings, racing stock and broodmares.

Vendor Cambridge Stud
Purchaser Marcus Corban Bloodstock (Cambridge)
Breeding Power – Mumtaz
Sale Lot 309, 2016 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale, $50,000
Bred by M P Kuklinski