Final Field for $1m Karaka Million

A field of 14 plus one emergency has been finalised for New Zealand’s richest race, the Res. Listed $1m Karaka Million, to be held at the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting at Ellerslie on Sunday 24 January.

Manolo Blahniq winning the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes. Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell.

Held on the eve of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series commencing at Karaka, this is the ninth running of the Karaka Million and consists of graduates from Karaka 2015.

Top qualifier Manolo Blahniq (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) is the race-favourite on the back of an impressive victory in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. The son of Jimmy Choux has earned $52,000 after two starts and will again have last season’s Champion Jockey Matt Cameron aboard, starting from barrier 3. The Craig Thornton trained colt was purchased by Australian trainer Tony Noonan at the Select Sale for $115,000 from Curraghmore.

Early season victories propelled Tennessee (NZ) (Per Incanto) to second on the Order of Entry. Winning her first two starts including the Listed Wellesley Stakes at Trentham, the filly by Per Incanto is trained by Stephen McKee and has won $42,210 from her three starts. Trevor McKee purchased the filly for only $15,000 at the Festival Sale from Mapperley Stud. Sam Spratt retains the ride and will begin from barrier 9.

Beating Manolo Blahniq two starts ago was The Soultaker (NZ) (Iffraaj) when victorious in the Listed Murdoch Newell Stakes. The son of Iffraaj has had two other starts, both times finishing second by narrow margins. He was purchased by his co-trainer Donna Logan for $50,000 at the Select Sale from Seaton Park and will begin from barrier 14.

A second son of Iffraaj in the race is the unbeaten Xiong Feng (NZ), the winner of his only two starts. The bold chestnut was purchased by Z Mok for $30,000 at the Karaka Select Sale from Monovale Farm and will jump from barrier 1 for trainer Stephen McKee and rider Danielle Johnson.

South Island contender What Choux Want (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) is the second progeny of five-time Group 1 winner Jimmy Choux in the race. Trainer Andrew Carston purchased the filly from Rich Hill Stud for just $14,000 at the Select Sale. The filly has yet to finish further back than third in four starts including a victory on debut. Australian jockey Stephen Baster is booked to ride, starting from barrier 6.

The sire of last season’s Karaka Million winner, Showcasing, is represented by two runners this year including Caorunn (NZ) (Showcasing), a winner of two of his three starts to date. Trent Busuttin, who trains in partnership with Natalie Young, purchased the gelding for $60,000 at the Select Sale from Longlands Stud. With victories at his last two starts, Caorunn has the services of leading Sydney jockey Blake Shinn and will start from barrier 5.

The second progeny of Showcasing is Showmeyamoneyhoney (NZ) who finished second to Caorunn at her last start. Trainer Lisa Latta purchased the filly for $31,000 at Select Sale from Haunui Farm. She will begin from barrier 4 with Darryl Bradley aboard.

The last horse to qualify for the race was Nova Swiss (NZ) (Swiss Ace), with an impressive victory last Saturday, leading throughout. Unbeaten from two starts, the son of Swiss Ace is trained by Dean Wiles and was purchased at the Select Sale for only $10,000 from Westbury Stud. Samantha Collett will have her first ride in the Karaka Million, jumping from barrier 11.

Debut winner Majestic Champion (NZ) (Sebring) was an impressive victor at Te Rapa before two unplaced runs. The son of Sebring was purchased by Hong Kong trainer Ricky Yiu for $100,000 at the Premier Sale from Wentwood Grange. Trained by Ken Kelso, he will start from barrier 7 for rider Cameron Lammas.

Beating race rival The Soultaker at Ellerslie only two weeks ago was Sacred Elixir (NZ) (Pour Moi). Trained by Tony Pike and to be ridden by Leith Innes from barrier 12, he finished second at his only other run, also at Ellerslie. The Pour Moi gelding was purchased by Raffles Racing for $170,000 from Wentwood Grange at the Premier Sale.

Impressive debut winner Ronda (NZ) (O’Reilly) beat home race rivals Kingsman and Showmeyamoneyhoney with her victory at Otaki, leading all of the way. The daughter of O’Reilly was purchased by Justin Wong of Red Hare Bloodstock for $55,000 at the Premier Sale from Waikato Stud. The Mark Forbes trained filly will jump from barrier 13 and will wear blinkers for the first time.

Australian raider O’Reilly Cyrus (NZ) (O’Reilly) travels across the Tasman for the most successful trainer in Karaka Million history, Liam Birchley. Last year’s winning trainer Birchley has had great success in this race, winning with Hardline (NZ) (Showcasing) last year following the victory of Sister Havana (General Nediym) in 2010 along with a second placing with Sarge in Charge (NZ) (Golan) in 2009.  O’Reilly Cyrus has had one start for an impressive win at Doomben in December and will have ex-pat kiwi jockey Damien Browne aboard. She will wear blinkers for the first time and will begin from barrier 8.

Another trainer to already have success in the race is Johno Benner and he is represented by Kingsman (NZ) (Darci Brahma), along with training partner Hollie Wynyard. Purchased by co-owner Chris Rutten at the Select Sale for $80,000 from Blandford Lodge, the son of Darci Brahma was an impressive five-length winner at Ellerslie at his last start. He has drawn barrier 10 for rider Mark Du Plessis.

Sneaking into the race as the lowest qualifier is Glass Slipper (NZ) (Pins). The daughter of Pins has been placed third in both of her starts including in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes last start. Trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, Wexford Stables purchased her for $85,000 from Waikato Stud at the Select Sale. Michael Coleman takes the mount and will begin from barrier 15.

First emergency Nachos (NZ) (Keeper) will begin from barrier 2 should he gain a start in the race if there is a scratching. The son of Keeper has won one of his three starts for trainer Kristine Stead who purchased him for $12,000 at the Festival Sale.

Below is the confirmed field for Karaka Million 2016

The six-race programme is scheduled to commence at 4.34pm with the first race of the Karaka Million Series, the $100,000 Windsor Park Stud Karaka Stayers Cup running at 5.06pm as Race 2, followed by the Res. Listed $100,000 NZB Insurance Karaka 3YO Mile at 5.39pm as Race 3 and the  Res. Listed $1m Karaka Million race at 6.46pm as Race 5.

The Karaka Million Twilight Meeting at Ellerslie on the eve of the 2016 Karaka Premier Sale, this Sunday 24 January. A range of hospitality options are available including the Karaka Club House. Tickets are available from www.ellerslie.co.nz

For information on the Karaka Million Series, click here.