Trio of Karaka Stakes Winners at Riccarton Park

Karaka graduates made a clean sweep of the three stakes races at Riccarton Park on Saturday with Riding Shotgun (NZ) (Iffraaj), Wolfwhistle (NZ) (O’Reilly) and Platinum Witness (California Dane) all successful at Listed level.

Riding Shotgun (NZ) was one of three black-type winners for Karaka at Riccarton Park on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Race Images Chch.

While many of the top hopes for the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas stayed north for the Group 3 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes, Riding Shotgun’s trainer Leo Molloy elected to head south for the Listed $50,000 Ray Coupland Stakes (1400m).

Runner-up in this year’s $1 million Karaka Million, Riding Shotgun claimed his first success as a three-year-old with a last to first victory on Saturday.

Rider Rory Hutchings bided his time at the rear before picking a path through the field to win confidently by 1.3 lengths from La Veuve (NZ) and Belle Miraaj (NZ) to give sire, Iffraaj, and Karaka the trifecta.

“He’s a Group 1 horse and all he needs is a good track,” commented Molloy following the win.

Saturday’s win was Riding Shotgun’s second victory and takes his earnings to $231,750 for his owner’s the Such Is Life Ltd syndicate.

Phil Cataldo purchased Riding Shotgun for $40,000 at the 2013 Karaka Select Sale from Trelawney Stud.

Later in the day, well-bred stayer Wolfwhistle claimed the first stakes win of his career with a convincing victory in the Listed $50,000 Christchurch Casino Spring Classic (2000m).

A son of champion sire O’Reilly out of dual Group 1 winning mare Legs, Wolfwhistle proved too good for his rivals with a one-length victory on Saturday for trainer Jason Bridgman.

Rider Matthew Cameron gave Wolfwhistle an economical journey and saved ground in the straight as he weaved between runners near the inside of the field before sprinting clear in the final 100m.

“It’s just terrific for the horse, we’ve always had a good opinion of him,” commented Bridgman. “It was a shame that he had to have a wind operation as a three-year-old so it’s great to see him at this level.”

Saturday’s win was Wolfwhistle’s fourth win from 10 starts for owners Te Akau Wolfwhistle Syndicate managed by David Ellis.

Ellis purchased Wolfwhistle for $240,000 at the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale from breeders Waikato Stud.

Completing a trio of stakes wins at Riccarton Park was three-year-old filly Platinum Witness, victor of the Listed $70,000 Armadillo Stakes (1600m).

Trained in Palmerston North by Lisa Latta, Platinum Witness enjoyed a cosy run from a good barrier for rider Darryl Bradley and sped away to win by 2.5 lengths in the straight.

Platinum Witness entered the race as a maiden but had finished second in the Listed Wanganui Guineas two-starts ago before having no luck when trapped wide in the Group 2 Hawkes Bay Guineas.

The first win of Platinum Witness’ career came at her eighth start, with the daughter of California Dane being placed on five previous occasions for owners Lincoln Farms Ltd & Neville McAlister.

Latta purchased Platinum Witness for $55,000 from the 2013 Karaka Select Sale from breeder Monovale Farm.