Aussies on Their Way to Karaka Million

Two Australian competitors have been confirmed to start in the $1,000,000 Karaka Million on January 25, while another is 'penciled in' for the Ellerslie twilight event.

Liam Birchley and David Hayes have both confirmed their charges, Sarge in Charge (Golan - Dainty, by Fairy King) and Optimizing (Exceed and Excel - Joan's Best, by Gold Brose), will contest the 1200m event on the eve of Karaka 2009 National Yearling Sales.

Sarge in Charge has won and placed second in Brisbane from two starts this season for Birchley, form which was franked by Motown Lady (Al Maher) who was beaten by 0.8 lengths  at her last start by Sarge in Charge before running a terrific third in the Magic Millions 2YO Classique, 0.7 lengths behind winner Phelan Ready (More Than Ready). Hayden Tinsley has been booked to ride Sarge in Charge.

Optimizing arrives in New Zealand with the same form line as Sarge in Charge. She ran second first time out at the races before winning her latest start on 20 December at Cheltenham, South Australia.

David Payne's Winter King (One Cool Cat - Something Special, by Bletchingly) is the other possible Australian contender. The colt will line up in Sydney on Saturday, and following a good performance and ideal recovery, he will fly over to contest the Karaka Million. The colt's form line has proven very strong having run second in the Listed AJC Breeder's Plate behind current Group 1 Golden Slipper favourite Real Saga (Tale of the Cat), before finishing third at his last start on 18 October to smart Star Thoroughbreds two-year-old, Horizons (Choisir).

The arrival of the Australian contenders and the resulting Kiwi-Aussie rivalry will add enormous atmosphere to a race day already packed full of entertainment. The much anticipated six-race card is set to start at 5.10pm with the support card featuring sponsorships by four Premier Sale vendors: Cambridge Stud, Curraghmore Stud, Pencarrow Stud, and The Oaks Stud.

Positions for the Karaka Million are still being contested with three races still to be run that could affect the make-up of the final field. Two of the three races are 2YO maidens to be run at Waikato on Thursday and Wellington next Monday, while the third is the $100,000 Group 3 Wakefield Stakes at Wellington this Saturday.

Only Brazilian Princess and Dawned are confirmed non-runners in the current top 14 in the Karaka Million Order of Entry.

The Auckland Racing Club has kindly made the Ellerslie racetrack available to Karaka Million entrants for use on Thursday 15 January and Tuesday 20 January, from 7am - 8am.

To utilise this opportunity or for more information contact Andrew Castles, Director of Racing, Auckland Racing Club, on 09 522 3818 or 021 384 289.