Star 3YOs Draw Side by Side for Karaka Million 3YO Classic

Breednet - Wednesday January 18

All eyes are on the showdown between Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) and Wild Night (NZ) (Vanbrugh) in Saturday’s $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe on Saturday, and the two star three-year-olds are set to jump from neighbouring gates. 

Between them, Legarto and Wild Night go into this match-up as the winners of 10 of their last 11 starts. Legarto’s unbeaten record includes spectacular stakes wins in the Group One New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), Group Two Eight Carat Classic (1600m) and Group Three Soliloquy Stakes (1400m). Wild Night was sixth on debut in August but has been unstoppable ever since, with five consecutive wins including the Group Two Sarten Memorial (1400m) and Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m).

Legarto and Wild Night are the two horses that everyone will be watching at 7.28pm on Saturday evening, and they have drawn neighbouring gates, with Legarto in one and Wild Night right next to her in two.

But the chances don’t end there in a field that ranks among the deepest and classiest in the history of the Karaka Million 3YO Classic.

Last year’s Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) winner Dynastic (NZ) (Almanzor) has drawn gate three, while last-start Group Three Wellington Stakes (1600m) winner Devastate (NZ) (Vadamos) is beside him in gate four.

Advertisement

Te Akau Racing 3YO favourite Wild Night (NZ).

Prowess (NZ) (Proisir), who ran third in the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) before a brilliant victory in the Group Two Auckland Guineas (1600m), has drawn gate five.

Khafre (American Pharoah) and Three Ninety (NZ) (Per Incanto) have drawn six and seven, with last-start Eight Carat Classic placegetter Wessex (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) in gate eight.

New Zealand 2000 Guineas runner-up Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) will jump from gate nine, with multiple stakes placegetters The Intimidator (Toronado) and Channel Surfer (NZ) (Derryn) drawn 10 and 11 respectively.

Completing the star-studded line-up is Group Three winner Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), who will jump from the outside gate in a field of 12.

$1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic Quick Facts

  • Barrier 6 has had the most wins for the 3YO, with a success rate of 30.77% and 4 wins.
  • The most expensive horse in the 3YO race is Dynastic who was purchased for $360,000. The cheapest horse in the 3YO race is Sacred Satono who was purchased for $34,000.
  • Kiwi sire Proisir has sired two runners in the 3YO race, Legarto and Prowess.
  • The vendor with the most runners in the 3YO race is Windsor Park Stud with Wild Night, Dynastic and Wessex.
  • O P Bosson has had five Karaka million wins. He had a four year winning streak until 2021, but won again in 2022.
  • International jockeys who have won: Michael Rodd (AUS, 2009), Stathi Katsidis (Aus, 2010), Craig Williams (AUS, 2012 & 2013), Mark du Plessis (Zimbabwe, 2014).
     

The Karaka Million 3YO Classic is the final race on Saturday’s six-race card at Pukekohe, with a start time of 7.28pm.

Click here for the fields and form.

Advertisment
More Reading...
MM Yearling Sales 2026 Open for Entry
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sales - from the Gold Coast in January to Perth and Tasmania in February and the Gold Coast and Adelaide in March - are ready to deliver more groundbreaking results.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
Highland Blaze Wins $250,000 Grand National Hurdle
Jumps racing was the highlight at Sandown Lakeside on Sunday with the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) the highlight and the $100,000 Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) offering a great start to the day.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.