Karaka Trifecta in Ryder Stakes

The final black-type event of the 2018-19 New Zealand racing season has been completely dominated by graduates of New Zealand Bloodstock Sales.

Saturday’s $50,000 Listed Courtesy Ford Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki was won by Sai Fah (NZ) (Rios), who was bought for just $6,000 at the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale at Karaka.

The runner-up was the stakes winner Flaunting (NZ) (Showcasing), who was a $40,000 purchase in Book 2 of Karaka 2018, while the $20,000 Book 1 graduate Jager Bombed (NZ) (Charm Spirit) was third and picked up his second black-type placing.

Sai Fah was ridden on Saturday by premiership-winning jockey Lisa Allpress. He raced keenly outside the leaders in the early stages, then eased into a trail behind Jager Bombed and Vibrato (NZ) (Sacred Falls).

Sai Fah swept to the lead at the home turn and raced clear, opening up a big margin and winning by a length and a quarter from a fast-finishing Flaunting.

“The plan was to sit outside the leader, but I don’t think he (trainer Stephen Marsh) meant five wide outside the leader,” said Allpress, who reached a major milestone of 1500 career wins in New Zealand.

“It was very pleasing to get him to the line. He tried so hard. The track is very heavy and holding, and he was really struggling in it – that’s why he was going sideways in the final stages of the race. But he just tried so hard and kept trying. It’s a testament to the horse. He was very tough.

“I think he’s a really nice horse, and he’ll be a lot better on top of the ground.”

Trained by Marsh for owners the Mission Downs Trust, Sai Fah has now won three of his eight starts and $58,560 in stakes – almost 10 times his purchase price.

Sai Fah’s dam Rongonui (NZ) (Fast ‘n’ Famous) also went through the ring during the same 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale, selling for just $1,000 to Upstage Bloodstock.

Saturday’s runner-up Flaunting has now had six starts for two wins and three placings, exceeding her $40,000 purchase price with $64,000 in stakes. She won the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui on June 1.

Jager Bombed has run in seven races this season, winning one and placing in another four to earn $23,775 in prize-money – more than his Book 1 purchase price.