Karaka and Waikato Stud Quinella Aussie G2

The New Zealand thoroughbred industry played a starring role in Saturday’s A$200,000 Group Two Queen of the South Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville, with both of the first two placegetters being graduates of the Karaka 2017 draft of world-renowned Kiwi breeders Waikato Stud.

The winner Fabric (NZ) (Ocean Park) failed to meet her $80,000 reserve at the 2017 Premier Sale at Karaka, but she has now had 23 starts for six wins, eight placings and A$555,135 in stakes. Runner-up Shop Til I Drop (NZ) (Savabeel) sold for $270,000 at the same sale. From only 10 starts to date, she has won four races and placed in another three, including Saturday’s prestigious Group Two feature.

Fabric was the favourite for Saturday’s race on the strength of two eye-catching placings in her previous three starts, including in the Group Three Ladies’ Day Vase (1600m) at Caulfield in the spring.

The five-year-old duly lived up to expectations in Adelaide, given a nice midfield run by Craig Williams before unleashing down the centre of the track to hit the lead with just over 100 metres to run.

Shop Til I Drop found clear running late in the race along the inside and came with a big late charge, but Fabric had enough up her sleeve to hold on for a narrow but impressive win.

“It’s a really nice race to win, and Waikato deserved to have a bit of luck with this mare,” said Ben Gleeson, the stable representative for trainer Danny O’Brien. “She’s been a little bit unlucky with a few placings. This makes her a very valuable prospect now, so we’re very happy for Waikato.

“She’s had quite a few races where she’s jumped on the speed and sat there and finished them off, and she’s also had races where she’s gone back, so she’s a very versatile mare.

“Craig’s just given her a peach today. She had a lovely run a couple of pairs back, and then he produced her at the right time, and she got that stakes win she deserved.”