Karaka Million Possible for Sweet Ice

Media Release - Saturday December 14

Local trainer David Greene made the best possible start to SkyCity Waikato Cup Day on his home track at Te Rapa when his debutant Sweet Ice took out the ICIB Brokerweb-Insurance Brokers 2YO (1100m).

Greene, who produced his 100th career winner back in May with Goldiluxe, had the well-named son of Frosted ready to go at his first time on race day after two placed efforts at the Te Awamutu trials and he delivered in fine but wayward style for rider Sam Spratt.

Sweet Ice winning the ICIB Brokerweb-Insurance Brokers 2YO (1100m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Spratt bounced Sweet Ice out nicely from a midfield barrier and took up a position at the head of affairs throughout.

It was apparent the gelding was travelling nicely rounding the home bend as he shot two lengths clear from the chasing pack headed by Curzon Park and Towering Vision.

Despite being dominant in the closing stages Sweet Ice drifted out sharply at the 100m before balancing up again to win by a neat length from Curzon Park who shaded Towering Vision for the runner-up slot. Shortly after pulling up the protest siren sounded however, despite the outward movement, Sweet Ice held the race much to the delight of his large group of owners.

Greene was sporting a smile a mile wide when questioned about the performance.

“It’s pretty nice as it has been a couple of years since we won on Cup day here,” Greene said.

“It’s good to win on my favourite day of the year.

“We’ve never really asked too much of him although has always appealed as a well above (average) athlete.

“He still has a few things to learn as you could see, but he is a talent.

“It was a field of two-year-olds going past big screens and the like, while it can get a bit lonely out there in front on your own, so he might have been looking for his friends (when running around).”

Advertisement

Whilst the horse had been paid up for the rich Karaka Million series, Greene hadn’t been considering a start in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie next month but admitted he may have to reassess his plans now.

“I didn’t think he was really a Karaka Million type of horse this year,” he said.

“However, the owners won’t let me get away with not having a crack at that race now.”

Spratt was also suitably impressed as she noted there was plenty of petrol left in the tank despite the wayward finish by the horse.

“He has got huge ability and has always shown a lot but he is as green as,” she said.

“He got me his first trial but improved a little bit for his second one and still has lengths left in him.

“I thought I was going to do a U-turn halfway up the straight but he managed to stick on.

“He did that with his ears pricked despite running around everywhere, so when he puts it together and knuckles down he will be pretty good.”

Purchased by Greene for $55,000 out of the Pencarrow Stud draft during the Book 1 Sale at Karaka back in January, Sweet Ice is the son of stakes placed Darci Brahma mare, Deliciano.

His granddam is Group Two winner Santagostino, a half-sister to Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Vapour Trail. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - ICIB Brokerweb-Insurance Brokers 2yo 1100m

Te Rapa Track: Good(4) Time: 1:05.50
1
Sweet Ice
- 2g Frosted (USA) x Deliciano (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: D G Greene Rdr: S C Spratt 57
NZB Karaka Book 1 $0
Seller: Pencarrow Stud
Buyer: Psd, Res $60,000
2
1.3
Curzon Park
- 2g Ribchester (IRE) x Sunshine Park (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: K A Pertab Rdr: N S Parmar 56
3
1.3
Towering Vision
- 2g Circus Maximus (IRE) x Qiji Vision (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: V A Colgan 57
NZB Karaka Book 1 $105,000
Seller: Windsor Park Stud
Buyer: Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ)
4
2.3
Dujardin
- 2f Hello Youmzain (FR) x Equestrienne (NZ) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: W F Pinn 55
5
2.8
Fat Cat
- 2c Written Tycoon (AUS) x Diamonds Galore (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: G Rooke 57
6
4.3
Luminance
- 2f Time Test (GB) x Brilliant Glow (GB) (Oasis Dream (GB))
Tnr: K A Pertab Rdr: S R Weatherley 55
7
5.3
Do You Just
- 2c So You Think (NZ) x Estijmaam (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: L O'sullivan & A Scott Rdr: C J Grylls 57
8
6.5
Faultless
- 2g Tivaci (AUS) x Without Flaw (NZ) (Sacred Falls (NZ))
Tnr: Peter & Shaun Mckay Rdr: Joe Doyle 57
9
57
Velvet Blue
- 2c Cosmic Force (AUS) x Call Me Cute (AUS) (Astronomer Royal (USA))
Tnr: B Wallace & G Cooksley Rdr: M J Mc Nab 57
More Reading...
Aussie Interest at JRHA Sale Next Week – First foal of Golden Slipper Winner
The 2025 JRHA  Select Foal and Yearling Sale will be held next week in Japan on July 14 and 15 and as usual there are some interesting entries for Aussie racing fans with a significant number of our star mares at stud in Japan including the 2022 Golden Slipper winner Fireburn.
Debut Winner for St Mark’s Basilica
Set to shuttle to Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (FR) had an impressive debut winner overnight in the UK with Cape Ashizuri opening his account in style.
Te Akau Stars Headed to Cranbourne
Te Akau’s Cranbourne barn has welcomed some exciting reinforcements ahead of spring racing, headlined by $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) heroine Damask Rose.
Begg Bred Siblings Make for a Winning Double
Former Group I jockey and now emerging country trainer Danny Beasley produced his first winning double at Wagga on Monday and he did it with a pair of first time winning siblings that are both bred and raced by the legendary Neville Begg.
Group 1 Durban July Success For Son Of Australian Bred Gimmethegreenlight
Although not having previously sired a winner of South Africa’s greatest race, the Australian bred, South African-based sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) added a 13th individual Group 1 winner to his record when the Dean Kannemeyer trained The Real Prince (SAF) added Saturday’s R5m Group 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July (2200m) to his record.
Resolute Racing Win G1 Prix Jean Prat – Wootton Bassett Sire Power
A crackerjack meeting at Deauville in France overnight highlighted the power of Wootton Bassett (GB), who sired yet another new two year-old stakes-winner and he also featured as the grand-sire of Woodshauna, who captured the Group I Prix Jean Prat (1400m) for US based Resolute Racing.
Stakes Success for Spritely 7YO Warhorse
Pearce Racing's seven year old warhorse Ginger Baker collected his first ever stakes win in the Listed 2200m South West Cup yesterday.
Sires With Winners - Monday July 7
Here is the full list of 23 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Sunday July 6
Here is the full list of 68 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Public Attention Sold to Hong Kong
New Zealand-bred three-year-old Public Attention will continue his racing career in Hong Kong following his recent sale.