Determined Sir Slick Takes Third Group 1

Karaka Select Sale graduate Sir Slick (Volksraad x Miss Opera) was ridden by Bruce Herd to his third successive Group 1 victory on Saturday. Leading throughout the Otaki Maori WFA (1600m), the tenacious gelding had just under a length to spare after being challenged all the way to the line by Jokers Wild (Black Minnaloushe x Miss Rory).

Bred by Paul Smithies' Monovale Holdings, he was purchased by trainer Graeme Nicholson at the 2003 Select Colts Sale for NZ$48,000. Now a six year old, Sir Slick's 12 career wins, eight seconds and eight thirds have contributed to him amassing over NZ$670,000 in prize-money.

Jokers Wild, also a graduate of the Karaka Select Sale, was a NZ$40,000 purchase by Paul Moroney in 2005 from Te Mania Thoroughbreds.

The result not only provided a Karaka graduate quinella, but also one for Windsor Park Stud with both horses being by Windsor based sires. Resident multiple champion sire, Volksraad and former shuttler Black Minnaloushe are represented by seven yearlings apiece in the upcoming Carnival Yearling Sale on Friday 9 March.

Sydney trainer Gerald Ryan's raider Shinzig (Danehill x Shindig) finished in third.

In another front running display, this time further North, Satinka (Stravinsky x Miss Saigon) proceeded to dominate at her home track in the Group 2 Robin Duke of Bedford Matamata Breeders' Stakes (1200m). Meaning 'magic dancer' in American Indian, the Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott trained filly proceeded to run rings around the strong two-year-old filly field winning  by two-and-a-half-lengths under Mark Du Plessis.

Bred by Wayne and Vicki Pike, Robbie Hewetson bid to NZ$190,000 to secure the filly at the 2006 Karaka Premier Sale from their Longland Stud draft.

The Mark Walker trained Liatris (Rock of Gibraltar x Subterfuge) was second while Arron Tata's Khepri (Faltaat x Danaselvam) was third.

Sadly, New Zealand Bloodstock $500,000 Classique winner Crossyourheart (Show a Heart x Red Century) bled after the race, quashing the stable's Golden Slipper hopes. Miraculously she produced a creditable fourth placing under Leith Innes.