Karaka Graduates Claim Valuable Stakes Races at Rotorua

Dawn Patrol (NZ) Too Slick in Sweynesse

Placed at Group One level last season, $20,000 Select Sale purchase Dawn Patrol (NZ) (Dawn Approach) took his career earnings past $200,000 with a brilliant performance at Rotorua on Saturday.

The Frank Ritchie-trained gelding showed a slick turn of foot to burst out of midfield and win the $70,000 Group Three Sweynesse Stakes (1215m).

“The reason we wanted to come to this race was that it looked like there would be high pace,” Ritchie said. “When that happens, he can get onto the back of something and relax. That’s when he will kick, and it that’s how it worked out today.”

The win was Dawn Patrol’s fourth of his 10-start career. He has placed in another four, headed by last season’s Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m).

Fellow Karaka graduates Princess Kereru (NZ) (Pins) and Midnight Runner (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) finished second and third in Saturday’s weight-for-age feature.

Princess Kereru was passed in with a $40,000 reserve at Karaka and has earned $267,125 in stakes, while the $50,000 Festival Sale graduate Midnight Runner has earned $113,860.

Sweet Treat (NZ) Storms to Staphanos Victory

Sweet Treat (NZ) (Ekraar), who was bought for only $30,000 at the 2015 Select Sale at Karaka, claimed a valuable black-type win in Saturday’s $50,000 Listed Staphanos Classic (1950m) at Rotorua.

With apprentice jockey Joshua Kam in the saddle, the six-year-old cut the corner and burst into contention at the top of the straight. She was challenged by Charlie Horse (NZ) (Zacinto) through the last 250 metres, but held firm and prevailed by three-quarters of a length.

Sweet Treat has now had 39 starts for five wins, nine placings and $108,125 in stakes – more than three times her purchase price.

“It was a good win,” co-trainer Graeme Rogerson said. “She’s won a good handicap now, so we’ll have a look and we might go to the New Zealand Cup (3200m) next.”

The win was part of a stakes double for breeders and part-owners Monovale Farm, who also bred Saturday’s Group Three Sweynesse Stakes winner Dawn Patrol (NZ) (Dawn Approach).