Karaka Quinella in Caulfield Classic

Graduates of New Zealand Bloodstock sales played starring roles in Saturday’s A$250,000 Group Three Neds Classic (2000m) at Caulfield, finishing first, second and fourth. 

The staying three-year-old feature was won by Albarado (NZ) (Savabeel), who was a $140,000 purchase by Busuttin Racing from Book 1 of Karaka 2019. He scored by a neck from Let’s Karaka Deel (NZ) (Dundeel), who cost $80,000 from the same sale. Fourth placegetter Redwood Shadow (NZ) (Redwood) was passed in at Book 2 of Karaka 2019 with a $20,000 reserve.

Despite being caught wide and over-racing, Albarado showed tremendous stamina and determination under jockey Mark Zahra. After a relentless surge to hit the lead in the home straight, he lunged at the finish line to just hold out the flying Let’s Karaka Deel.

“He’s a Victoria Derby (2500m) horse for sure,” Zahra said. “It took me a while to get him to switch off. He's green. I hit the front at the 200 and Redwood Shadow came and challenged him, and he found more. When he saw the horse coming down the outside, he dug in.”

Raced by a big group that includes Busuttin Racing and prominent Kiwi owner Tommy Heptinstall, Albarado has now had six starts for two wins, three placings and $205,225, exceeding his purchase price at Karaka.

“This horse has been spot-on all the way through, and the Derby has always been the aim,” co-trainer Trent Busuttin said. “This was a messy race, but Mark summed it up and got going early. He still had to do plenty of work, going wide around them, so it was a good, gutsy win.”

Albarado was bred by Peter Smith and is out of his Group Three-winning and Group One-placed mare O’Fille (NZ) (O’Reilly).

The countdown is already underway for Karaka 2021, which will again showcase the very best New Zealand thoroughbreds. Book 1 will run across three days from Sunday 24 January, followed immediately by Book 2 from Wednesday 27 through to Friday 29 January.