Padraig (NZ) and Felton Road (NZ) Book Karaka Million Spots

The Karaka Million dream remains alive for the connections of Padraig (NZ) (Power) and Felton Road (NZ) (Pins), who both clinched a spot in the field for the $1m feature with impressive wins on Saturday.

With victory in the $30,000 Wellington Provedoring 2YO (1200m) at Trentham, Padraig surged up from 39th to fifth on the Karaka Million order of entry. Third in his only previous start, Padraig had earned only $850 in prize-money and Saturday’s race was a must-win.

The Brendon Hawtin-trained runner was well and truly up to the task, charging down the outside of the track under Matt Cameron to win by a length and three-quarters.

“He’s a beautiful big horse,” Cameron said. “He’s not really a natural two-year-old type, but he did it pretty nicely today. He did a few thing wrong at Ellerslie but he’s learning all the time. With a bit of luck and a good draw in the Karaka Million he’ll be right in it. I won’t be keen to get off him!”

Felton Road had beaten Padraig when they both made their debuts at Ellerslie late last month. The Pins colt extended his unbeaten record to two out of two with an impressive performance in the Countdown to Karaka 2017 1200 at Ellerslie on Saturday. The winner’s share of the $20,000 prize lifted him to sixth place on the order of entry.

Felton Road had a wide draw and raced greenly, but his considerable class carried him to victory by a long neck.

“We’re in the race now, which is the main thing,” trainer Tony Pike said. “That was why we ran him today.

“He’s still a bit green but he was quite impressive. He was over-racing and ended up getting to the front a bit soon, but he held on nicely. That was pretty encouraging.”

The first four horses on the Karaka Million order of entry are Gift of Power (NZ) (Power), Hasahalo (NZ) (Savabeel), Star Treasure (NZ) (Lonhro) and Talaria (NZ) (O’Reilly).