Already an iconic day on the New Zealand racing calendar, the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting at Ellerslie will go to a new level on Saturday with the addition of a second $1m race.
The Karaka Million 2YO now shares top billing with the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m). Previously known as the Karaka 3YO Mile and staged last year with prizemoney of $250,000, the race has received a massive upgrade for 2018 and has drawn a star-studded field to match.
Open to graduates of the 2016New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series, the line-up features two Group 1 winners –Embellish(NZ) (Savabeel) andHasahalo(NZ) (Savabeel) – along with five other stakes winners.
Embellish was a $775,000 purchase by David Ellis at the 2016 Premier Sale, and his three wins from five starts to date include the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in November. He is now part-owned by the incoming Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay and is set for a stud career at the iconic farm when he completes his racing career.
Hasahalo cost $110,000 at the same sale, and after a second placing in last year's Karaka Million, she powered to a four-length win in November's New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). For many members of the Go Racing syndicate that owns the filly, Hasahalo is their very first racehorse.
Ever Loyal(Sebring) won the Listed Zacinto Stakes (1600m) in October and placed in the 2000 Guineas.Hard Merchandize(NZ) (Burgundy) won the Group 2 Hawke's Bay Guineas (1400m) at the beginning of October and placed in the Group 2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) later that month.On The Rocks(NZ) (Alamosa) won last month's Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial (1500m) and placed in the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1600m).
In addition to 1000 Guineas heroine Hasahalo, the Karaka Million 3YO Classic field features two other winners of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series races.Savvy Coup(NZ) (Savabeel) won the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1550m) last month, then placed in the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m) two weeks ago. After placing in the Eulogy Stakes,Contessa Vanessa(NZ) (Bullbars) won the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) and ran second in the Group 2 Royal Stakes (2000m).
The race also carries Australian interest withScream Park(NZ) (Ocean Park), from the powerful Sydney stable of expat Kiwi trainer Chris Waller. He will be ridden by Hugh Bowman.
The Karaka Million 3YO Classic will be run as Race 4 on Saturday with a start time of 6.36pm.
