Satono Aladdin 2YO Winner

Media Release - Sunday October 27

Prominent owner Chris Rutten knows a thing or two about the Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie, and he might be heading in that direction again after a debut victory by Too Sweet in Sunday’s Graham’s Painters 2YO (900m) at Trentham.

Rutten won the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) with Vespa in 2014 and has since collected minor placings with Kingsman (2016), Yourdeel (2019) and Avonallo (2021). He also had success with Scott Base in the Karaka Million 3YO (1600m) in 2018.

Too Sweet on her way to winning Sunday’s Graham’s Painters 2YO (900m) at Trentham.   Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Rutten paid $50,000 to buy Too Sweet from the Phoenix Park draft at Karaka earlier this year. She is by exciting Rich Hill Stud stallion Satono Aladdin, while her dam Sparkling Rose comes from the family of quality racehorses and sires Darci Brahma and Burgundy.

Too Sweet headed into her raceday debut with two trials under her belt, finishing second at Foxton on September 18 before winning at the same venue two weeks later.

The Roydon Bergerson-trained filly was sent out as an $8 fourth favourite in Sunday’s five-horse field, but she upstaged her more-fancied opponents with a classy and determined performance.

Too Sweet and jockey Lily Sutherland sat back in fourth as Landlord, Grocer’s Deelight and Almakeitgood pushed forward through the early stages of the race.

Advertisement

That trio still showed the way coming into the home straight, but then Too Sweet quickened through an opening one from the outside and soon joined in. She found plenty in the testing Heavy10 conditions, reaching her neck out and edging ahead of Almakeitgood to score by a head.

Too Sweet earned $23,000 from Sunday’s win, which has historically been more than enough to secure a place in the Karaka Millions starting gates at Ellerslie on January 25.

“She’s a beautiful filly,” Bergerson said. “I was surprised that she raced quite greenly today, but she still quickened well in the straight and stuck her neck out and won nicely.

“The Karaka Millions is the big goal. That’s the reason Chris bought her, and there’s not many better judges when it comes to that race, outside of maybe David Ellis.

“She’s qualified now, so it takes the pressure off and we can just pick and choose our path from this point on. We’ll give her a look around Ellerslie at some stage between now and then.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.

Advertisment

Race Result - Graham's Painters 2yo 900m

Trentham Track: Heavy(10) Time: 0:55.10
1
Too Sweet
- 2f Satono Aladdin (JPN) x Sparkling Rose (NZ) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: R J Bergerson Rdr: L Sutherland 53
NZB Karaka Book 2 $0
Seller: Brighthill Farm
Buyer:
2
0.2
Almakeitgood
- 2f Ardrossan (AUS) x Cortado (NZ) (Sepoy (AUS))
Tnr: S A Sharrock Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 54
3
1.5
Grocer's Deelight
- 2f Dundeel (NZ) x Vendella (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: C J Grylls 54
4
8.5
Landlock
- 2g Merchant Navy (AUS) x Blue Blue Sky (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: C W Cole Rdr: K A Myers 57
More Reading...
Trial Winner for Captivant
Captivant’s early promise was on full display at today’s Waipa trials when Capital Express stormed to victory in Heat 4. The Paul Pertab-trained 2YO colt impressed early, showcasing the speed and class expected of his G1 Champagne Stakes-winning sire in a performance that marked him as one to watch.
Finding the Perfect Match for Your Mare
Now that the first foals of the season have hit the ground at farms across the country, breeders are finalising stallion bookings and searching for the perfect match for their mares.
Quickfire Double Strengthens Karaka Millions Hand for Rutten and Bergerson
Awapuni trainer Roydon Bergerson and respected yearling buyer Chris Rutten have had a dream start to 2025 with their $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) contenders.
Was it that Unusual? Who is the Oldest?
There was a lot of attention in the media regarding the age of Australian Horse of the Year elect Via Sistina (IRE) when she returned to racing for a new campaign at Randwick last Saturday, but was it really that uncommon to see an eight year-old G1 winner?
Well Bred Zousain Debut Winner
A full sister to Zousain’s Group III winning filly Drifting, Cheeky Contiki made a winning debut at Pakenham on Monday for the Lindsay Park Racing team.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 25
Here is the full list of 12 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Al Riffa Aiming Towards Melbourne Cup for Australian Bloodstock
The exceptional qualities of Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) are such that he can get fast juveniles and also high class older horses over a distance and we are set to see a taste of it this spring as media reports suggest Australian Bloodstock have purchased his top class 5YO stallion Al Riffa.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday August 26
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Coolmore Stallion Parade – A to Z-Catch Up on What You Might Have Missed!
The annual Coolmore Australia stallion parade is one you just can’t miss and if you didn’t make it this year, do read on as you will feel like you were there after all!
Spring Plans for El Vencedor
New Zealand’s top-rated performer El Vencedor will contest all three legs of the spring Triple Crown series.