Dalghar Gelding Wins $1million Karaka 3YO Classic

Media Release - Saturday January 27
A devastating finishing burst has carried Scott Base to an upset victory in the inaugural running of the $1million Karaka 3YO Classic (1600m).

Scott Base - Trish DunnellThe lightly raced Dalghar three-year-old was having just his second run in a new campaign after an unsuccessful attempt at the Gr. 1 New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (1600m) in November. 

Despite winning easily at Otaki, the Johno Benner and Holly Wynyard trained runner was overlooked in most pre-race discussions as punters focussed their attention on 2000 Guineas winner Embellish, who started a warm favourite in Sunday's contest.

Favourite backers had plenty to be confident about as rider Opie Bosson had Embellish trucking in a beautiful position on the outer after negotiating a tricky outside barrier with ease. At the same time Rosie Myers was biding her time on Scott Base who had settled towards the rear but travelled easily as the field was strung out on a strong pace set by Ever Loyal.

Bosson made his move at the 600m mark as he swooped forward on Embellish and quickly joined issue despite enduring a decent bumping duel with three-year-old filly Kapoor.
Embellish shot to the front and looked home for all money however just as he was being hailed the winner, Myers hit overdrive on Scott Base who dashed past the favourite in the shadows of the post to claim the win.
Benner, who had experienced Karaka Million glory with Vespa in 2014, was having trouble containing his emotions as he savoured the victory.

"To be honest I sort of stood there at the furlong and wondered if it was all going to happen again and it did," he said.

"I could see he was coming strongly, he's a horse we've got a lot of time for and he's done it again for us tonight.

"We knew he was top drawer and he's beaten a good field. Barring Dijon Bleu they were all here, so it was very good."

Scott Base as a yearlingBenner also paid tribute to part-owner Chris Rutten who purchased Scott Base for $70,000 from the Brighthill Farm draft during the Select session of the 2016 NZB Yearling Sale Series.

"He's another horse that Chris has bought and he has an amazing record that you can't argue with," he said.

"They have been massive supporters of us and I wouldn't be standing here today if it wasn't for them."

Myers was also quick to praise her mount who she had ridden for the first time at Otaki.

"He's got an amazing turn of foot," she said.

"It's my second time riding him and he really impressed me the first time I was on him.

"He relaxed beautifully and he was pretty awesome the last bit.

"He was up in grade today, so we were a little uncertain, but he has shown his class."

The protest siren sounded shortly after the horses had crossed the line with fifth placegetter Kapoor alleging interference from runner-up Embellish and third-placed runner Ever Loyal. After a lengthy hearing the judicial committee relegated Ever Loyal to fifth with South Island filly Savvy Coup moving to third with Kapoor in fourth. – NZ Racing Desk



Advertisment
More Reading...
2025 G1 Epsom Handicap Field and Barrier Draw
The field and barrier draw has been decided for the Group I Epsom Handicap on Saturday with odds-on favourite and unbeaten mare Autumn Glow drawing the extreme outside gate in a field of 14.
Karaka Million Dreaming for Out of the Blue
Te Akau Racing marketing manager Julia-Rose Hayes has had plenty of success syndicating horses selected by her father, David Ellis, and that has continued with her latest syndicate.
2025 G1 The Metropolitan Field and Barrier Draw
Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher are set to have half of the Group I Metropolitan field between them with the Waller trained Birdman an easing favourite after drawing a wide gate for Saturday’s race.
Equimillion This Long Weekend – Draws and Start Lists
Racing NSW have their annual Equimillion event coming up this long weekend at Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park and for people interested in off the trackers it’s a showcase for the sport, so let’s take a look at who’s who in the zoo.
Resolute Racing Purchase Top Lot Goffs Orby Day 1
The Goffs Orby Yearling Sale kicked off overnight and the top lot on Day 1 was a colt by Blue Point purchased by John Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock for €675,000, while Wootton Bassett produced the top selling filly, whose half-brother Trinity College is now in Australia.
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.
Youngsters Impress Leading into Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale
The build up to the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale has intensified with a swag of impressive breeze up performances over the past week.
She's Unusual Keeps Good Times Rolling
Continued success with resident stallion Unusual Suspect and their racing team has kept Nigel and Adaire Auret busier than they may have envisaged, but without any complaints.
Tara Talks Racing - Insights from a Legend - Darren Beadman
Beiwacht upstaged his more fancied rivals to win the $1million Group I ATC Golden Rose last Saturday in course record breaking style to become the hottest colt in Australia giving us the opportunity to chat to a legend that has been very much involved in his story so far.
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.