Karaka 3YO Million Next for Ace High 3YO

Media Release - Sunday January 19

Unbeaten three-year-old Dealt With has booked himself a ticket to the big dance with victory in Sunday’s Elsdon Park 1400, but it wasn’t without a heart-stopping moment in the home straight for Roger James and Robert Wellwood. 

Dealt With winning the Elsdon Park 1400 on Sunday at Pukekohe Park.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

The son of Ace High debuted with a comfortable, albeit green win at Te Aroha earlier this month, and stepping into open age-group company at Pukekohe, he was fancied to replicate that result closing a narrow $3.20 favourite over First Dance ($3.30).

Powering from barrier three, Dealt With was keen to get on with the job and soon took up an uncontested lead in the hands of George Rooke, with Elegant Jazz in close quarters to his outer. He kicked strongly turning for home and put a margin on the field by the 150m, but that’s when it all nearly came unstuck, showing his inexperience and shying abruptly at the 100m post, unseating Rooke.

Despite this, Rooke managed to regain his balance, straighten the gelding and guide him home by three-quarters of a length to a fast-finishing First Dance.

After the race, Wellwood was full of praise for his promising galloper, while admitting it had been far from an easy watch.

“I hope George has got a spare pair of breeches in his jockey bag, it was looking pretty impressive then looked pretty scary there for a minute,” Wellwood said.

“But still, it was very impressive. He’s got a lot to learn, but to put away a nice field like that with things to learn, it’s pretty exciting going forward.

Advertisement

“He’s a big, strong horse and he’s able to put himself in the race, that’s a big help. It’s nice to see him do that, but we hope we can see him start to do it a bit easier.”

Prior to Sunday’s contest, the Cambridge trainers had indicated the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) was a real possibility for Dealt With, and all going well, the gelding will be off to Ellerslie next Saturday.

“We’ve got a number of options, but practically, there is a race worth a million and a half in six days’ time,” Wellwood said. “If he came through this really well and George’s feedback says he can go over a mile, we could look to head there.

“Otherwise, there will be one more run for him in the middle of next month, then we hope to secure a slot in the Kiwi. I think he’s just made a statement that makes him a pretty obvious horse for a race like the Kiwi.”

While James and Wellwood have won the past two editions of the Karaka Millions 3YO with Prowess and Orchestral, the NZB Kiwi will be new territory, with the inaugural running of the $3.5 million contest set to be run on March 8 at Ellerslie.

Dealt With was a $90,000 purchase by his trainers at the 2023 Karaka Yearling Sales, through breeder Hallmark Stud’s draft. He is out of an Exceed And Excel mare Scrutiny, who had one subsequent foal by Super Easy before passing. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Elsdon Park 3yo 1400m

Pukekohe Park Track: Good(3) Time: 1:22.83
1
Dealt With
- 3g Ace High (AUS) x Scrutiny (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: G Rooke 57
2
0.8
First Dance
- 3f Zousain (AUS) x Shadow Dancer (NZ) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: L R Noble Rdr: W B Kennedy 55
3
1.6
Hard Roca
- 3g El Roca (AUS) x Craggy Range (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: R T Elliot 57
4
2.4
Cognoscenti
- 3g Castelvecchio (AUS) x Irish Goodbye (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: W F Pinn 57
5
3.7
This Time Girl
- 3f Contributer (IRE) x Le Cailloux (NZ) (Cape Blanco (IRE))
Tnr: Hollie Wynyard Rdr: K A Myers 55
6
8.7
Magnastar
- 3g Magna Grecia (IRE) x Scorpio (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: C J Grylls 57
7
9.7
Elegant Jazz
- 3f Russian Revolution (AUS) x Made The News (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: S C Spratt 55
8
11.1
Ortega
- 3f Reliable Man (GB) x Rayas (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 55
More Reading...
First Black Type Victory For Nellie Leylax (IRE)
Not a bad way to break through for your first Australian victory as the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Nellie Leylax (IRE) cleared out by more than two lengths to claim the Group 3 ATC Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick.
Jenni Lets Loose At The Valley
Smart staying mare Jennivamoose recorded her third victory at The Valley when winning the Simpson Construction Handicap (2500m) in similar fashion to her previous victory at the venue.
Third Black Type Win For Snitzel’s Lazzura
A member of the Waller team to hold a dual acceptance leading into Saturday’s Randwick meeting, it was the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) where 4yo Snitzel mare Lazzura came out on top, recording her third black type victory.
Winning Return for the Best in Australia - Via Sistina
Set to be crowned Australia’s Horse of the Year for last season, the mighty Fastnet Rock mare Via Sistina (IRE) returned on a rain soaked track at Randwick on Saturday to win the $1million Group I ATC Winx Stakes (1400m).
Unbeaten Run Continues For Autumn Glow
Resuming off the back of two solid barrier trials efforts, Chris Waller’s Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) stepped up to open company for the first time, with the $1.8m yearling purchase extending her unbeaten run to five with victory in the Group 3 ATC Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick.
Sterling Express Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Sterling Express stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs.
Carlyon Stakes To Baraqiel – Second SW For Snitzel
Successful in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) last time in, Sniztel’s 7yo son Baraqiel continued his outstanding record at the Moonee Valley circuit, resuming to win the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) first up, highlighting potential Group 1 spring aims.
Wootton Bassett Juvenile G2 Double
Wootton Bassett (GB) featured in Ireland overnight at The Curragh with two stakes-winning juveniles, Constitution River taking out the the Group II Futurity (7f), while the Group II Debutante (7f) went to the filly Composing, who comes from the family of Amelia’s Jewel.
Wuddzz Caps Fine 24 Hours For Dwyer
Handy stayer Wuddzz came with a well-timed run under Tim Clark to land the Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy (2400m) at Randwick.
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 23
Here is the full list of 106 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.