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...
Melbourne Cup Contender for Wootton Bassett
Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) has been doing a lot of amazing things this year and he might just have a Melbourne Cup contender with the Joseph O’Brien trained Al Riffa putting himself in the picture with a facile five length win in the Group II Curragh Cup (1m6f) overnight.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 18
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2.4million Frankel Stallion Wins G2 Minstrel
He cost 2.4million guineas as a yearling and is one of the most eye-catching horses you would ever see, so of course we’re going to do a story when he wins a G2!
Spring Stars First Trials Coming Up Tuesday
The Randwick barrier trials on Tuesday morning will give us the first look at some big guns tuning up for the spring racing with seven Group One winners entered, and some rising three year-old big race hopefuls.
Lucky Magic (NZ) Sparkles in Selangor Mile
Karaka graduate Lucky Magic (NZ) (Mendelssohn) secured a place in Malaysian racing history on Sunday with a triumph in the inaugural RM$1m Selangor Mile (1600m).
€1.85million Sale-Topping Frankel Filly Now Dual G1 Oaks Winner for Coolmore
Not seen since winning the Group I Epsom Oaks (1m4f) at the start of June, the Aidan O’Brien trained Frankel filly Minnie Hauk started favourite in the Group I Irish Oaks (1m4f) at The Curragh overnight and duly saluted.
Sires With Winners - Monday July 21
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$1million Mehmas a Stakes-Winner for Godolphin
One of the big ticket purchases for Godolphin at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale last year was the half-brother to triple Group I winner Perfect Power by Mehmas and this 1million guinea purchase opened his stakes account overnight in the UK.
Impressive Debut As Tassort Filly Spice Baby Wins By Three
Tackling the older horses on debut is never easy, but the Joseph Ible trained Spice Baby headed to Moruya on Monday, trouncing her opposition to score by three lengths, untouched.
Spring G1 Goals for Tuxedo
One of this season’s leading three-year-olds will be restricted to shorter trips in the new term in his transition to the weight-for-age ranks.