Karaka Graduate Dominates Launceston Cup

Expat New Zealand stayer Home By Midnight (NZ) (Domesday) took his career earnings to the brink of $900,000 with a dominant performance in Wednesday’s A$250,000 Group Three Launceston Cup (2400m) in Tasmania.

Formerly known as Five To Midnight, the gelding began his career in the Awapuni stable of Lisa Latta, who bought him for $165,000 at the 2014 Select Sale.

He won nine races for Latta, headed by the Group Three Waikato Cup (2400m) and Listed Feilding Gold Cup (2100m), along with second placings in two editions of the Group One Auckland Cup (3200m).

He was a class above his rivals on Wednesday, drawing clear to win by two and a quarter lengths in the hands of Billy Egan.

“The shades went on today, so he just positioned up a lot easier without much work needed,” Egan said.

Joe O’Neill, from Prime Thoroughbreds, represented connections on course at Launceston.

“It was a fantastic win,” he said. “All credit to Patrick (Payne, trainer), he had the horse in fantastic order.”

Home By Midnight has now had 54 starts for 10 wins, 18 placings and A$859,292 in stakes – the equivalent of NZ$894,858, which is five and a half times his purchase price.