More Karaka Million Glory for Benner, Rutten and Norwood

Four years on from their Karaka Million (1200m) triumph with Vespa (NZ) (Elusive City), the same connections struck again in the first million-dollar running of the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Owners Chris Rutten and John Norwood and trainer Johno Benner joined forces to win the 2014 Karaka Million with Vespa, a $34,000 yearling purchase who later added the Group 1 Diamond Stakes (1200m) to be New Zealand’s champion two-year-old of 2013-14. He now stands at Wellfield Lodge.

On Saturday they did it again as Scott Base (NZ) (Dalghar) stole the spotlight in a star-studded three-year-old race.

Most of the pre-race attention surrounded the Group 1 winners Embellish (NZ) (Savabeel) and Hasahalo (NZ) (Savabeel) and Group 1 placegetters Ever Loyal (Sebring) and Savvy Coup (NZ) (Savabeel).

But Scott Base had been an easy winner in a lower grade in his previous start, and he chose New Zealand’s equal richest race for his ascent to stardom.

With Rosie Myers in the saddle, Scott Base dropped back to the rear of the field before producing a scintillating sprint in the straight. The favourite Embellish had hit the lead and looked the winner, but Scott Base flew past him in the final strides to win by a long neck.

“I stood there at the furlong and wondered if it was all going to happen again, and it did,” said Benner, who now trains in partnership with Hollie Wynyard.

“I could see he was coming strongly, he’s a horse we’ve got a lot of time for and he’s done it again for us tonight. We knew he was top-drawer and he’s beaten a good field.

“He’s another horse that Chris has bought and he has an amazing record that you can’t argue with. They have been massive supporters of us and I wouldn’t be standing here today if it wasn’t for them.”

Scott Base was bred by Neven Botica’s Botsky Pty Ltd and was offered at the 2016 Select Sale by Brighthill Farm. Chris Rutten bought him for $70,000.

Now the winner of three of his 10 starts, Scott Base has earned $581,875 in prizemoney for Rutten, Norwood, Joanna and John Frew.

The runner-up Embellish cost $775,000 in the Premier Sale and has now earned $468,310 in prizemoney, while third-placed Savvy Coup was a $65,000 Premier Sale purchase who has now earned $169,625.