Belardo 2YO Chasing Karaka Million

Media Release - Wednesday December 21

Matamata trainer Paul Richards has history on his side as he prepares talented juvenile Farravallo for connections which include respected bloodstock agent Chris Rutten.

Farravallo will contest the Pukekohe Traders 1100 on Boxing Day. Photo: Trish Dunell

Rutten won the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) in 2014 with Vespa and the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) in 2018 with Scott Base, and has also placed in the Karaka Million 2YO with Touche (2013), Yourdeel (2019), Avonallo (2021) and Wolverine (2022).

The Horowhenua horseman sourced all six out of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales and returned to their Karaka sales complex earlier this year where he purchased Farravallo out of Haunui Farm’s Book 2 draft for $20,000.

The son of Belardo won two trials before finishing runner-up on debut over 1000m at Te Rapa in October, and while he had a hiccup in his preparation earlier this month, Richards believes the gelding is back on track and ready to seal his spot in the Karaka Million with a positive performance in the Pukekohe Traders 1100 at Pukekohe on Boxing Day.

“He missed a trial at Avondale on the 12th just through a slight setback,” Richards said.

“It could have been growing pains or he could have got cast in his box, he was a wee bit sore for a few days, but he seems to have come right now, and I am happy with him.

“He has showed a bit of promise. He is still a work in progress. In his first race, mid-race he undone himself a bit, but he is getting there.

“The Karaka Million is the main aim. If he goes satisfactorily on Boxing Day he probably won’t need another one.

“He is a natural two-year-old, but in saying that, he will furnish into a nice three-year-old. He is a good-bodied horse.”

Farravallo is the first horse Richards has trained for Rutten, however, their association began when the Matamata conditioner was working for his now Hong Kong-based son Jamie at Te Akau, who trained dual Group One winner Yourdeel and Karaka Million 2YO placegetter Avonallo for Rutten.

“This is the only one I have for Chris. The horse came to the stable through that association with Jamie and while I was at Te Akau,” Richards said.

“He has had a bit of luck in the Karaka Million, so hopefully we can continue that with Farravallo.”

Advertisement

Richards has recently returned from visiting Jamie in Hong Kong, familiarising himself with the racing jurisdiction his son now calls home.

“It was great. I had a good look around and learnt how it all works. It was also good to see Jamie’s set-up. He had a few winners up there while I was there, which was super,” Richards said.

“On Sunday he had his first Sha Tin winner, which was great. It just takes time to get a nice team around you. It will take him a year or two before he will be up and firing.”

Richards is hoping some horses in his care can help bolster Jamie’s team in the coming years.

“We have got a couple of two-year-olds that are owned up there that we are pre-training,” he said.

“We will trial them up, get them educated and make sure they are doing everything right before they head up there.”

Meanwhile, Richards has welcomed back stakes winner Hanalei to his barn ahead of her autumn preparation.

The Darci Brahma filly was victorious in the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m) at Trentham in January and Richards is now hunting further black-type success with his three-year-old next year. 

“She had a break after the spring, she wasn’t doing well so we gave her a month off,” he said.

“She is back in work and won’t be back until probably February. We are just aiming towards the autumn.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
First Win for Storm Boy Half-Brother by Pierro
Progressive Pierro colt Shangri La Boy is a very different horse to his older half-brother Storm Boy and while that Group winning colt is covering his first book of mares at Coolmore this spring, this fellow is on his way with an impressive maiden win at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish. 
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 1
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.