Karaka Million Build Up in Full Swing

With the 2009 Karaka Million firmly in their sights, a trifecta of eligible juveniles were the first three home in the Capital City Ford 2YO Handicap (1000m) at Trentham on Saturday, each mounting their case for one of the 14 spots in New Zealand Bloodstock's million dollar race for sale graduates.

The trio were all bought out the Karaka Select Sale and were all debut race-goers with the Murray and Bjorn Baker-trained Veldt (Volksraad x Jumble by Kaapstad) the race victor. Settling at the back of the small field with Buddy Lammas on board, he ran on to put the Mike Breslin-trained Liquid Goodness (Lion Heart x Guinness by King of Kings) a neck back in second with a further neck to A La Votre (Volksraad x Thelma's Decision by Noble Bijou) in third.

Murray Baker bid to NZ$75,000 to secure Veldt from Windsor Park Stud's 2008 Select Sale draft. The Stud will offer a half-sister by their young sire Thorn Park in the 2009 Select Sale at Lot 577.

Palmerston North-based Breslin secured the talented Liquid Goodness from Mark and Shelley Treweek's Lyndhurst Farm for NZ$230,000. In January Lyndhurst will offer a half-brother by the multiple Group 1 winner Johannesburg at Lot 527.

Bred by Tony and Joe Bongiorno and now trained by Mark Walker, A La Votre was a NZ$42,500 purchase by David Ellis from Trelawney Stud.

Currently heading the Karaka Million Order of Entry is the David Payne-trained Winter King (One Cool Cat x Something Special by Bletchingly) with A$25,650 to his credit. Fellow Australian-trained filly Brazilian Princess (Captain Rio x Saigon Princess by Rhythm) is in second spot with A$21,500.

Leading the New Zealand-based contenders is the speedy Pins filly Katie Lee (ex Miss Jessie Jay by Spectacularphantom). Trained by the Rogerson, Lucock and Bergerson partnership, she was recently runner-up in the Listed Murdoch Newell Stakes (1100m) and now has NZ$23,175 in her account.

The Karaka Million, the curtain raiser to New Zealand Bloodstock's National Yearling Sales Series (26 January - 2 February), will be held at Auckland Racing Club's Ellerslie Racecourse on 25 January with the action packed six-race Twilight Meeting starting at 4.30pm.

All graduates of the 2009 National Yearling Sales Series are eligible to be entered for the 2010 Karaka Million plus the 2011 $200,000 Karaka 3YO Mile.

Click here to view the 20 remaining two-year-old races in New Zealand and the up-to-date Order of Entry in the lead up to the 2009 Karaka Million.