Miss Federer (NZ) Heads Karaka Trifecta in Welcome Stakes

The $10,000 Book 2 purchase Miss Federer (NZ) (Swiss Ace) headed an all-Karaka trifecta in Saturday’s $50,000 Listed Barneswood Farm Welcome Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton.

A last-start winner for local trainer Andrew Carston, Miss Federer was the clear favourite for the New Zealand Cup carnival’s juvenile feature.

After being prominent through the early stages, her prospects appeared to be fading as she dropped back to third place at the 300-metre mark.

But rider Matt Cameron asked her to lift and Miss Federer responded, outfinishing Challa (Dissident) and Diva Express (NZ) (Shamexpress) in an exciting three-way finish.

Miss Federer has now earned $44,435 in prize-money, which is four times her purchase price. Challa cost $100,000 in Book 1, while Diva Express was secured for just $4,500 in Book 3.

It was a first black-type training success for Carston, who has had success with low-priced Karaka purchases in the past. He paid just $14,000 for What Choux Want (NZ) (Jimmy Choux), who earned $76,860.

“I’ve had a pretty good run buying horses at Karaka without spending a lot of money,” Carston said. “Let’s hope we can go back there again and continue the roll.

“Winning this race is unbelievable. It’s been a long day, waiting for this race and then the delay as they tried to get her into the gates.

“I was a bit concerned at the furlong (200m), but I knew she’d lift when Matt Cameron asked her. She’s only a $10,000 filly, and this is an awesome result for the whole team.”

Miss Federer is raced by Mark and Dawn Dowling, Clint and Jill Tauri, Russell and Ros McClean, Dave and Jill MacGibbon, Brian and Margaret Sheppard, Beau and Ann Trevathan, Lindsay and Kaz Harliwich, Joy Isaacs, Janice Banks and Terry Williamson.