ARC Counts Down to 2009 Karaka Million
16 December 2008
Sunday's Coca-Cola 2YO ($10,000, 1100m)�at the Auckland Racing Club's Ellerslie racecourse was the first of five two-year-old races at Ellerslie that lead in to the 2009 Karaka Million for New Zealand Bloodstock graduates.
This followed the Fairview Ford Stakes ($55,000, 1100m) at Te Rapa the day earlier which created a new leader�on the�Karaka Million Order of Entry�when second placed Pins filly Katie Lee�accumulated $34,175 in stakes to date.
Auckland Racing Club Director of Racing Andrew Castles said the lead up races have been programmed with the big million dollar�event in mind.
"In listening to various industry participants, the Auckland Racing Club has made a conscious decision to card two-year-old races at Ellerslie on each of the five racemeetings in the lead up to the Karaka Million.
"This allows these young horses the opportunity to experience the unique nature of the Ellerslie track before racing for the million dollars on offer on January 25th."
The four remaining lead-up races at Ellerslie are as follows:
- Friday December 26th 2008 - VIVA Fashions in the Field ($30,000, 1100m)
- Sunday December 28th 2008 - Maiden Two-year-old ( $15,000, 1200m)
- Thursday January 1st 2009 - Stella Artois Eclipse Stakes (Group III, $75,000, 1200m)
- Saturday January 10th 2009 - Maiden Two-year-old ($15,000, 1200m)
The Stella Artois Eclipse Stakes, with its $75,000 purse, provides an important opportunity for Karaka Million qualified runners to accumulate valuable prize money. With the likes of impressive Karaka Million qualified debut winner Rachine (Andrew Scott) and Saturday's stakes-placed Mr Thorpedo (John Sargent) already signaling their intention to run on New Year's Day, along with classy filly The Lady, this is shaping up as a defining race for Karaka Million aspirants.