3 minute read

With fields shaping up for the Karaka Million races at Ellerslie on Saturday, the performances of the runners that have placed them high in the order of entry are adding to value of their relations catalogued for Karaka 2019.

The highest rated three-year-old colt and filly in New Zealand are leading the order of entry in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic with Madison County (Pins) first and Media Sensation (I Am Invincible) second.

With back-to-back victories in the G1 NZ 2000 Guineas and Levin Classic, Madison County’s feats were timely updates for several Waikato Stud-consigned yearlings.

They include Lot 625, a half-brother to Listed Carbine Club of WA Stakes winner Pinzu (Pins), and Lot 149 from the same family as Madison County.

Media Sensation scored in the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas following a triumph in the G3 Soliloquy Stakes. Yearlings who have received a significant pedigree update include Pencarrow Stud’s Lot 97, a colt by Makfi, and Lot 501, a filly by Choisir.

Third and fourth on the table are G1 Levin Classic runner-up Hypnos (Reliable Man) and G1 NZ 2000 Guineas runner-up Dawn Patrol (Dawn Approach).

Both three-year-olds have siblings entered at the Karaka Sale. Westbury Stud will offer Lot 872 who is a brother to Hypnos and Monovale Farm will present Lot 1064 who is an Ocean Park half-brother to Dawn Patrol.

A four-time winner, including at stakes level, Sir Nate (Nadeem) stepped up to G1 level when he ran third in the 2000 Guineas that moved him up to fifth on the entry list.

His victory has added appeal to Cambridge Stud’s Lot 116, a filly by Tavistock from the same family.

Surely Sacred (Rock ‘n’ Pop), last start winner of the G2 Auckland Guineas, boosts the pedigrees of two of Waikato Stud’s yearlings.

Both Lot 88, a filly by Ocean Park, and Lot 92, a colt by Sacred Falls, are from the same family as Surely Sacred who currently sits sixth equal.

Queen Of Diamonds (Savabeel) is currently 11th on the Karaka Million 3YO Classic order of entry with a victory in the G3 Eulogy Stakes and third placing in the G2 Eight Carat Classic – both part of the NZB Filly of the Year series.

Her form has provided pedigree updates to a number of Lots catalogued in Book 1 at Karaka, the majority consigned by Cambridge Stud from the coveted Eight Carat family.

Queen Of Diamond’s half-brother out of Love Diamonds will go through the ring at Lot 177 while a filly out of a sibling to Queen Of Diamonds is catalogued at Lot 180.

Further Lots from the iconic farm and same family as Queen Of Diamonds include Lot 622 who is a half-brother to G2 and Listed winner Gift Of Power (Power), as well as Lots 283, 432, 677 and 680.

Pencarrow Stud will present Lot 628, a colt by Pins, who is from the same family as Queen Of Diamonds and current G3 Waikato Cup winner Mongolian Marshal (High Chaparral).

Currently sitting first and second on the Karaka Million 2YO order of entry is Aotea Lad (Savabeel) and Whiskey Neat (Denman).

The star juveniles both scored victories on debut with Aotea Lad winning the G2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes and Whiskey Neat claiming back-to-back wins, including the G3 Eclipse Stakes.

Woburn Farm will offer Aotea Lad’s half-sister at Lot 651, by Makfi, while Inglewood Stud will present two close relations to Aotea Lad with Lot 246, a filly by first season sire Pride of Dubai, and Lot 309, a colt by Shooting to Win.

Bradbury Park have prepared Lot 490, a colt by first season sire Real Impact, who is from the same family as Whiskey Neat.