Labour Weekend Racing Changes Karaka Million Picture

Two juveniles with Karaka Million aspirations produced sparkling performances on Saturday to take prominent positions in the order of entry for the $1 million feature at Ellerslie on January 29.

Gift Of Power (NZ) (Power) won the $50,000 Listed Swiss Ace @ Westbury Stud Wellesley Stakes (1000m) at Trentham, her second win from two career appearances. She now heads the order of entry with $34,375 in stakes.

“She’s eligible for the Karaka Million, so I think that’s our long-term goal,” said Michelle Northcott, who part-owns the filly and was the stable representative for trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson.

Gift Of Power was purchased from Cambridge Stud’s draft at the 2016 Premier Sale for $180,000.

The Wellesley Stakes runner-up Waldorf (NZ) (Highly Recommended) is also Karaka Million eligible and is now second on the order of entry with $13,375. He was purchased for $30,000 at the 2016 Select Sale.

Meanwhile at Ellerslie, first-starter Gilhoolie (NZ) led all the way for an impressive win in the Schweppes Two-Year-Old (880m). The Guillotine gelding raced greenly but had far too much speed for his opposition, winning by two and a half lengths. It was his raceday debut, and he now sits in fourth position on the Karaka Million order of entry with $12,000 in stakes.

Gilhoolie was purchased by trainer and part-owner James Bridge for $50,000 at the 2016 Select Sale.

“It’s very encouraging to get a debut win like that, especially at Ellerslie,” he said. “It’s a big track and he had a bit to look at, but he’ll learn a lot from this experience. He’s got great tactical speed.”

This year’s Karaka Million winner Xiong Feng (NZ) (Iffraaj) won the same Ellerslie race 12 months ago.

Third spot on the 2017 Karaka Million order of entry is now occupied by the former leader Global Thinking (So You Think), with $12,500 in stakes courtesy of a debut win at Ruakaka.

To view the full order of entry click here.