Lupo Solitario (NZ) Snatches Bonecrusher Thriller

Two top-quality Karaka graduates treated the Pukekohe crowd to an enthralling battle in Saturday’s $120,000 Group Three Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m), and it was Lupo Solitario (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) who found that little bit more and prevailed by a nose.

It was the third win of a four-start career for Lupo Solitario, who has earned $134,125 in prize-money. He was bought for $82,500 by part-owner Leighton Howl from Book 2 of Karaka 2022.

Lupo Solitario made his mark with impressive victories in the first two starts of his career in August and September, then stepped up to Group Two level and ran second behind the undefeated Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) in the Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Rapa in October.

Trainer Danica Guy have the gelding a short let-up after that race and then brought him back to begin his build-up to next month’s $1.5m Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) in Saturday’s Bonecrusher, although a bruised heel provided a brief scare before he was cleared to run on race morning.

Among those standing in his way was Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel), who was a $625,000 purchase from Book 1 of Karaka 2024. She had two starts as a two-year-old for a smart win and a strong-finishing second, beating the subsequent Group One winner Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) in the process, then was freshened after failing to produce her best form in the Group Three Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) in September.

The pair went head to head in Saturday’s Bonecrusher Stakes, and they left the rest of the field four lengths behind as they drew clear to fight out a memorable finish.

Orchestral seemed set to overhaul Lupo Solitario, but the favourite responded to the urgings of jockey Ryan Elliot and lifted again. They strode through the final 50 metres locked together, but Lupo Solitario refused to let the filly get past and clung on in a desperate photo finish.

“We were very pleased with him, although last night I didn’t think we would make it here today,” Guy told the SENZ News desk.

“When he walked out this morning, he was a happy horse so we knew we were on the right track. We had him vetted and made the decision to start, and we got the right result.

“He still has a lot of maturing to do, and that showed in the finish. Ryan said he was goofing around a little, thinking the job was done. His manners have improved a lot during the break he has had and Ryan was also quick to mention that, which was pleasing to hear.

“His main mission is the Karaka Millions 3YO at Ellerslie next month, a race we have targeted for quite some time. As long he pulls up well, he will come back here to Pukekohe on New Year’s Day for a three-year-old mile. That will be a good lead-in to the Ellerslie race.”

Lupo Solitario was bred and sold by Rich Hill Stud, who will offer a Proisir half-sister to the star galloper at Karaka 2024. The filly is catalogued as Lot 396 in Book 1.

Another notable feature of Karaka 2024 will be the return of Lupo Solitario’s high-flying sire Satono Aladdin. He had no yearlings in the catalogue last year after missing a season of shuttling during the COVID-19 pandemic, but he has 15 yearlings in Book 1 in seven in Book 2 and is sure to be in high demand.

Vendor	Rich Hill Stud
Purchaser	Mr LJ Howl (Auckland)
Breeding	Satono Aladdin – She’s Aloof
Sale	Lot 1054, Karaka 2022 Book 2, $82,500
Bred by	Rich Hill Thoroughbreds Ltd