Karaka Trifecta in Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes

The prestigious $100,000 Group 2 NRM Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe on Saturday turned into an all-Karaka affair as graduates of New Zealand Bloodstock Sales finished first, second and third.

The winner was Lasarla (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle), who took a giant step up from Rating 65 grade to beat a star-studded field of fillies and mares in just her sixth career start.

Ridden by Cameron Lammas, the four-year-old trailed the leaders before charging to victory with a powerful burst down the home straight.

“She's always showed a lot of ability and while she had only won one race, sometimes you just have to have a go,” said Moira Murdoch, who trains the mare in partnership with her daughter Kieran.

"She's been a beautiful horse from day one, she's never put a foot wrong and she's just a lovely animal.

"She got a beautiful run and when she popped out at the top of the straight she got all the clear space she needed to kick on.”

Bred by Emblem Ltd, Lasarla is out of the Italian-bred Danehill mare Imco Main – dam of seven winners including the stakes winner Changing Eyes (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe).

Lasarla was offered by Mapperley Stud at the 2014 Select Sale but fell short of her $35,000 reserve. Retained by her breeders to race, she has now had two wins and two placings from six starts for prize-money earnings of $73,625.

Runner-up Somethingvain (NZ) (Falkirk) was bought for just $1,100 at the 2012 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale. She has had 16 starts for five wins, two placings and $114,350 in stakes.

Third-placed Slice Of Class (NZ) (Guillotine) is also a Karaka graduate, selling for $11,000 at the 2011 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale. She has had 26 starts for four wins, eight placings and $135,385 in prize-money.