Hypnotize Heads Karaka Weekend Highlights
10 September 2007
A cracking win by Hypnotize in Ellerslie's Great Northern Steeplechase on Saturday headed the weekend wins by Karaka graduates.
New Zealand
Off the back of a gallant win in The Mad Butcher Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4900m) two weeks ago, Hypnotize (Yamanin Vital - Auburn Rose) bounced back for an impressive display of stamina in the gruelling 6400m Sharp Great Northern Steeplechase to record his eighth win from 16 career starts.
Bred by the Andertons at White Robe Lodge in Mosgiel, Hypnotize was bought by Mark Conners as an untried two-year-old at the 2001 South Island Sale for $20,000. He is now trained by Raymond Conners who also part-owns the eight-year-old.
Australia
At Flemington Karaka graduate Orange County (Volksraad - Saffie) fought hard to the finish line to win the $125,000 Listed Sofitel Stakes (1400m) for Brian Mayfield Smith. A $70,000 purchase from the Karaka Select Sale by his trainer, the five-year-old grey finished in second place ahead of El Segundo at his first start back this season in the Listed Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m), won by Monet's Rules.
Also at Flemington, Waikato Stud stallions Pins and O'Reilly were represented by two promising performers for Danny O'Brien. Early in the day three-year-old gelding Pins on Parade (Pins - Burwood Road) made it his third win from four starts in the Henry Bucks Best Dressed Plate over 1400m. A $200,000 purchase by Graeme Rogerson from the Karaka Premier Sale, his win under Darren Beadman confirmed Pins on Parade as one to watch over the spring.
In the last on the card it was the exciting five-year-old stayer Master O'Reilly (O'Reilly - Without Remorse) who claimed the Antler Luggage Handicap (2000m) to take his wins tally to six from 16 starts. He was bought by Liam Sutcliffe Holdings as an untried two-year-old at the South Island Sale for $75,000.
Hong Kong
On Sunday night at Sha Tin Care Free Prince, Booming City, Skyview Bar and Triumphant Diamond became the first four winners of the new season in Hong Kong from New Zealand.
Care Free Prince (Flying Spur - Lihir) - a $100,000 yearling from the Karaka Premier Sale sold by Cambridge Stud - was the first winner of the season for New Zealand Bloodstock, and for trainer Me Tsui, in the Class 4 1400m event. In second place was fellow Karaka graduate Wait For Me (Montjeu - Ecole) bred by the Grand Vue Lodge Syndicate.
In Race 6 Booming City (Colombia - Sonja Henee) was the first of two back-to-back winners on Sunday for Almond Lee in the Class 3 1200m Admiralty Cup. Bred by Mr & Mrs RT Bishop, Booming City previously raced in New Zealand as Brecon Road, with three wins from four starts for trainer Allan Sharrock.
Skyview Bar (Centaine - Rock The Kasbar) was Almond Lee's second winner of the meeting and the first of two winners for ill-fated Waikato Stud sire Centaine. Bought by John Foote at the Karaka Select Sale for $45,000, five-year-old Skyview Bar is now a winner of six in Hong Kong. He lead home a New Zealand bred trifecta in the Class 2 Sheung Wan Handicap (1000m) which included Friendly Gains (O'Reilly - She Wishes) in second and Fifty Fifty (O'Reilly - Second Set) in third.
Five-year-old Triumphant Diamond (Centaine - Ransom Bay) was the second winner of the day for Centaine and the second for trainer Danny Shum. Bought by Tony Pike from Trelawney Stud at the Karaka Premier Sale for $45,000, it was Triumphant Diamond's second win in Hong Kong.