Karaka Graduates Dominate Queen Elizabeth II Cup

Karaka graduates ran the quinella in Sunday’s S$1 million Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Kranji, with resurgent superstar Debt Collector (NZ) (Thorn Park) leading the way.

Bought for $30,000 at the 2014 Select Sale and $120,000 at the Ready to Run Sale, Debt Collector was Singapore’s 2016 Horse of the Year after winning eight of his first 12 starts.

He made a triumphant return to form in the Raffles Cup (1600m) in September, and on Sunday he shone brightly again.

Ridden by his regular partner Michael Rodd, Debt Collector’s customary come-from-behind burst happened earlier than usual and he swept to the lead 300 metres from the finish.

The $115,000 Premier Sale purchase Majestic Moments (NZ) (Darci Brahma) chased bravely down the straight, but Debt Collector scored a comfortable one-length win.

“I didn’t know he would get to the front so easy,” Rodd said. “I felt like a kid trying to keep him steady.

“I should have sat earlier and kept him tucked in, but by the 300 metres, he had rounded them up already, he had them covered.

“I’m glad it all came together. He’s been a very special horse from Day 1.”

Trained by Cliff Brown for owners the Barree Stable, Debt Collector has won 10 of his 21 starts and more than S$2.7 million in prize-money – the equivalent of NZ$2.96 million, which is 98 times his Select Sale purchase price and 24 times his price tag at the Ready to Run Sale.

Debt Collector became the second stakes-winning Ready to Run Sale graduate of the weekend, following Volks Lightning (NZ) (Volksraad) in the Group 3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua on Saturday.

The 2018 Ready to Run Sale will be held at Karaka on November 21 and 22.