TAB Karaka Millions 2YO By the Numbers

A full and high-quality field of 15 plus one emergency has been confirmed for Saturday’s 2024 edition of the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie.

Of this year’s 15 Karaka Millions 2YO hopefuls, 11 are graduates of Book 1 of Karaka 2023 and four came out of Book 2.

The average purchase price for this year’s Karaka Millions 2YO field is $202,679. Macaluso (NZ) (Savabeel) was the highest-priced purchase at $600,000, while Sunrise (NZ) (Charm Spirit) was the cheapest at $30,000.

Savabeel is the dominant sire in this year’s race with four runners – Cool ‘N’ Fast (NZ), Savaglee (NZ), Macaluso (NZ) and the emergency Damask Rose (NZ). Notably, Cool ‘N’ Fast is a full-brother to Cool Aza Beel (NZ), who won this race in 2020. Another Waikato Stud stallion, up-and-comer Ardrossan, has dual representation in this year’s field with Beau Dazzler (NZ) and Maracatu (NZ).

Three vendors are represented by two entries each in the Karaka Millions 2YO line-up. Mapperley Stud has Beau Dazzler (NZ) (Ardrossan) and Maracatu (NZ) (Ardrossan), Kilgravin Lodge has So Naive (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) and Full Force (Cosmic Force), and Inglewood Stud has Force Of Law (NZ) (War Decree) and Velocious (Written Tycoon).

Unsurprisingly, the leading buyer is Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis with five Karaka Millions 2YO contenders – Cool ‘N’ Fast (NZ) (Savabeel), Maracatu (NZ) (Ardrossan), When Stars Align (NZ) (Zoustar), Bellatrix Star (Star Witness) and Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel).

This year’s Te Akau contingent will attempt to extend the incredible Karaka Millions 2YO winning streak for horses bought by Ellis at Karaka to nine, following on from Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), Avantage (Fastnet Rock), Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel), Cool Aza Beel (NZ) (Savabeel), On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau), Dynastic (NZ) (Almanzor) and Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin).

This year’s TAB Karaka Millions 2YO will be run as Race 4 on the action-packed six-race programme at Ellerslie on Saturday, with a scheduled start time of 6.04pm.