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The count-down is on for New Zealand’s richest race, the $1m Karaka Million at Ellerslie on January 25.
An outstanding class of two-year-olds are lining up to try their hand in the Karaka Million with fierce competition growing as the field closes in just over three weeks.
The Order of Entry is determined by prizemoney earned with the field restricted to just 14.Leading the Order of Entry is Showboy (Showcasing) after victory in the G2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes at Wellington in early December. Trained by Pukekohe-based Nigel Tiley, he sits on total stakes of $NZ68,000.
Second on the leader-board is the unbeaten Windborne (Darci Brahma) trained in Matamata by Jason Bridgman.This two-year-old filly claimed her place on the leaderboard in the Listed Murdoch Newell Stakes with a total stakes of $NZ43,250.
Next is Maritimo (Pins), trained by Graeme and Debbie Rogerson. A 4.5 lengths victory in the Listed Wellesley Stakes in October increased her stakes to $NZ37,500.Following the top three is Dal Cielo (Per Incanto), China Silk (Hard Spun), Hardline (Showcasing), Strata Lady (Stratum), Platinum Express (Showcasing), Outlaw Kate (Exceed And Excel) and Peach Cove (Buffalo Man).
The last week saw two more horses join the leaderboard with Dal Cielo and The Justice League (I Am Invincible) both winning races at Ellerslie.The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman trained Dal Cielo was an impressive winner of the DHL 2YO 1100m at Ellerslie’s Premier meeting on Boxing Day.
With winnings of $27,500 he leapt 15 places to fourth position on the Order of Entry.The Justice League made his race debut at Ellerslie on Sunday. A stablemate of Showboy, he jumped to 15th position with an exceptional performance in the Maiden 2YO 1200m for trainer Nigel Tiley.
The Justice League powered to victory by 4.5 lengths earning $5,900 in prizemoney.The next two-year-old race is the G3 $70,000 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.
Eligible horses nominated for this race include Maritimo, Windborne, Showboy, China Silk and Iff So Happens (Iffraaj).The Karaka Million twilight meeting at Ellerslie also features the $100,000 Karaka Million with current G1 New Zealand Derby favourite Volkstok’n’barrell (Tavistock) one of the high profile horses heading towards the race.
Any horse sold or passed in at a New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series is eligible to compete in the $100,000 Karaka Stayers Cup.| Order | Name | Breeding | Trainer | Sale | Price | Purchaser | Stakes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Showboy | Ch. G Showcasing x Shades of Silk | N W Tiley | K3 | $15,000 | Nigel Tiley | $68,000 | |
| 2 | Windborne | B. F Darci Brahma x Sweet Dreams Baby | J W Bridgman | K2 | $100,000 | Fortuna Syndications | $43,250 | |
| 3 | Maritimo | B. F Pins x Miracle Miss | G A Rogerson | K1 | $200,000 | Rogerson B/stock | $37,500 | |
| 4 | Dal Cielo | Br. G Per Incanto x Cent From Heaven | M P Baker | K2 | $95,000 | Bruce Perry B/stock | $27,500 | |
| 5 | China Silk | B. F Hard Spun x Uno Sayuri | Ms D Guy | S.I | $9,000 | NZB as Agent | $14,900 | |
| 6 | Hardline | Ch. G Showcasing x Midnight Breaker | L F Birchley | K2 | $130,000 | LB Racing | A$12,800 | |
| 7 | Strata Lady | B. F Stratum x Estermate | L A O'Sullivan | K1 | $40,000 | Wexford Stables | $12,500 | |
| 8 | Platinum Express | Br. F Showcasing x My Other Woman | Ms L Latta | K2 | $20,000 | Lisa Latta Racing | $11,850 | |
| 9 | Outlaw Kate | Ch. F Exceed and Excel x She's Got Gears | L J Molloy | K1 | $150,000 | Phill Cataldo B/stock | $11,200 | |
| 10 | Peach Cove | B. F Buffalo Man x Tennisciti Belle | A J Brown | K3 | $5,500 | NZB as agent | $9,875 | |
| 11 | Jacqueric | B. C Beneteau x Hey Pretty Katie | J G Symons & S Laxon | K2 | $50,000 | JSL Racing | A$9,150 | |
| 12 | Gotham | B. G Onemorenomore x Krysia | J L McVean | K1 | $65,000 | McVean Racing | $8,800 | |
| 13 | Selfie | B. G Thewayyouare x Miss Brownie | R D Collett | K3 | $40,000 | Robt Dawe Agency | $8,175 | |
| 14 | Billy Mojo | B. C Mastercraftsman x British Dame | S B Marsh | K2 | $60,000 | Go Racing Ltd | $6,875 | |
| 15 | The Justice League | B. C I Am Invincible x L'Artiste | N W Tiley | K2 | $50,000 | Nigel Tiley | $5,900 |