Karaka Graduates Target Dubai

It's an exciting time for all connections involved in the three Karaka graduates due to make their debut in Dubai.

Group 1 winner Music Magnate (NZ) (Written Tycoon) has accepted his invitation to the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on the 31 March, while Singapore stakes winners Gilt Complex (NZ) (Gold Centre) and Bahana (NZ) (Elusive City) have already arrived in Dubai and tested the track ahead of their major assignments in March.

Group 1 Doomben Ten Thousand winner Music Magnate won his barrier trial at Rosehill Gardens on Monday 19 February in his preparation towards the Group 1 Sprint and Gilt Complex and Bahana had their first start over 2000m in Dubai on 8 February.

The Singapore stayers will continue their campaigns and depending on their performances Gilt Complex could proceed to the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold on 10 March and Bahana could line up in a race on World Cup night.

This year, the Dubai World Cup Carnival runs from early January to March 10 with the racing action building towards the world's richest race day. Highlighted with the 23rd running of the Dubai World Cup at Meydan, 31 March concludes the UAE season and boasts total prize purses of US$30 million.

Despite the long flight and unfamiliar racing conditions, Kiwi horses have performed to the highest levels in Dubai.

Hong Kong Horse of the Year and Champion Stayer Vengeance of Rain (NZ) (Zabeel) claimed the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic Stakes while Joy and Fun (NZ) (Cullen) won the Group 3 Al Quoz Sprint Stakes also placing twice in the race after it received an upgrade to Group 1 status. Karaka graduate Gun Pit (Dubawi) is an eight-time winner in Hong Kong who laid it all on the track in Dubai to place second on the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Stakes.

Over the years, legendary Kiwi horses such as Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun) and Seachange (NZ) (Cape Cross), and more recently Karaka graduates So You Think (NZ) (High Chaparral) and Ocean Park (NZ) (Thorn Park), prove themselves as highly credentialed Group 1 winners and headed to Dubai in attempts to replicate their form.

Sunline travelled over with nine Group 1 wins under her belt to place third in the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Stakes; Seachange went with seven Group 1 wins for two respectable performances in the Group 2 Jebel Hatta Stakes and Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Stakes; So You Think had a record of eight Group 1 wins in New Zealand, Australia and England before he placed fourth in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup; while Ocean Park collected five Group 1 wins before his last career start in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Stakes.

New Zealand horses have performed to the highest level on the international stage and have an enviable track record of success throughout the southern hemisphere.

Representatives of both Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum have recognised their value signing for horses at Karaka up to the value of $1.3 million.

News from NZB.