Sargent Targets Karaka Million Riches

Currently sitting in first place on New Zealand's Trainers' Premiership with 51 race wins, 17 wins clear of his nearest rival, Matamata trainer John Sargent is preparing a big team for the $1 million Karaka Million (Res.L) on January 29.

A race that will boast a number of international entries and jockeys in 2012, Sargent could have as many as five horses in the race with his contenders currently headed by the General Nediym filly Marechal (ex Zalika).

A $70,000 graduate of the 2011 Karaka Premier Sale, the filly is eighth on the Order of Entry with $12,800 in stakes after winning her second start at Otaki in late November, and running a close fourth after a luckless run in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes.

Marechal is owned by former All Black Mark Carter with other family members, all of whom are also first-time clients of Ladbrook Park Stables.

Ninth on the Karaka Million Order of Entry with $9,375 in stakes is the grey colt Taoist Master (Any Suggestion x Skara Brae) who put in a dominant performance when winning on debut at Trentham in early December. Purchased by Sargent at the Karaka Select Sale for $62,500, Taoist Master is co-owned by Shanghai businessman Li Tong who found Sargent over the internet.

Li Tong is the co-owner of another Sargent trained runner in Magic Shaft (ex Adaptable Lass), a son of first season sire Shaft who was purchased by Sargent for $60,000 at the Karaka Select Sale. The two-year-old ran a good third on debut in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes earning $6,650 and fifteenth place on the Karaka Million Order of Entry.

Completing the line-up for Sargent's Karaka Million attack are Choice Bro (12th with $8,900 in stakes) and Deakes (13th with $7,450 in stakes).

Choice Bro (Choisir x Ladidi) has shown that he has plenty of talent when running second on debut in the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier at Awapuni. A $50,000 Karaka Select Sale purchase by Sargent and bloodstock agent Gary Mudgway, the colt then broke his maiden when winning the Countdown to the Karaka Million at his next start at Ellerslie.

Purchased by Gary Mudgway Bloodstock for $60,000 at the Karaka Select Sale, Deakes (Shaft x Long Walk) shows the same form line as his stable mate Choice Bro, running second on debut before winning at his next start at Wingatui by two-and-three-quarter-lengths.

Choice Bro and Deakes are raced by an Australian group of owners who Sargent met at last year's Karaka Million Twilight Meeting at Ellerslie. Perth-based syndicate organiser Kelda Jones was a guest of New Zealand Bloodstock at the 2011 Karaka Million when introduced to Sargent in its hospitality marquee.

"She told me 'I've got to have a runner in this race - this is a fantastic atmosphere," says Sargent.

"So we went to the Sales that week with [bloodstock agents] Gary Mudgway and Brad Spicer and picked out Choice Bro and Deakes for them.

"We only bought two yearlings and it looks like they'll have two of the 14 runners in the Karaka Million."

Sargent purchased six yearlings from the National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka in 2011 and all but one looks to have a good chance of making the Karaka Million field on January 29. His other purchase La Vitesse (Darci Brahma x Naturo), a $80,000 graduate of the Karaka Premier Sale, will miss the Karaka Million but will be aimed at stakes races later in the season.

"You don't have to spend a lot; just find a nice running type that looks like it will take the pressure," says Sargent.

John Sargent trained Banchee racing away with the Karaka 3YO last year, she ran third in the 2010 Karaka Million

"I can't really split any of them at this stage - you've just got to try and get them there in a happy frame of mind, and then it's all down to luck."

Sargent has gone very close to winning the $1 million prize since its first running four years ago with Il Quello Veloce (Captain Rio) in 2008 and Banchee (Oratorio) in 2010. Both went on to take Group 1 races as two-year-olds and were crowned Champion NZ 2YOs.

Last year Sargent saddled Savabill (Savabeel) who flew home late, Dollario (Captain Rio) and Super Easy (Darci Brahma) who raced three wide and was only caught in the final 50 metres of the race.

"Banchee and Il Quello Veloce were knocked from pillar to post but that's what this race is, it's a very high-pressure race and decided by luck on the day.

"You can draw 14, or one, it all depends on whether you get a clear run."

New Zealand's richest race, the $1 million Karaka Million, will be run on Sunday January 29 at Ellerslie and is limited to 14 starters. There are just seven two-year-old events remaining in New Zealand before race nominations close on Tuesday 24 January, including the Group 2 Little Avondale Wakefield Challenge Stakes which carries a stake of $85,000.

Click here to view the current Karaka Million Order of Entry.

New Zealand Bloodstock's National Yearling Sales Series will be held at the Karaka sales complex from 30 January to 5 February. For news and information about the Sales Series contact [email protected] or visit www.nzb.co.nz.