Karaka graduates have shone again in the Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), winning the Riccarton classic for the eighth year in a row on Saturday with the impressive Madison County (NZ) (Pins).
The $36,000 Select Sale purchase joinsEmbellish(NZ) (Savabeel),Ugo Foscolo(NZ) (Zacinto),Xtravagant(NZ) (Pentire),Turn Me Loose(NZ) (Iffraaj),Atlante(Fastnet Rock),Sacred Falls(NZ) (O'Reilly) andRock 'N' Pop(Fastnet Rock).
Madison County had previously won the Group 2 Hawke's Bay Guineas (1400m), and he was a fast-finishing third in the Group 2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) last start. On Saturday he confirmed his quality with an outstanding performance.
Ridden by Matt Cameron, the China Horse Club-owned gelding sat in midfield before angling to the centre of the track in the straight.
Madison County produced a spectacular finishing burst, roaring pastDawn Patrol(NZ) (Dawn Approach) and opening up a decisive margin of two and a half lengths.
"Madison County just proved he is the best three-year-old around," Cameron said. "They went quick down the back, then slowed up and were all bunched up.
"I opted to come off into a bit better ground, as I know he has an electric turn of foot and a few of them were stopping. He got through and was very dominant."
Raced by the China Horse Club and trained by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Madison County has now had six starts for three wins, three placings and $396,560 in prize-money – more than 11 times his purchase price.
Madison County was bred by Waikato Stud, who also bred last year's 2000 Guineas winner Embellish.
Saturday's race produced a trifecta for the 2017 Select Sale. Dawn Patrol cost $20,000, while third-placedSir Nate(NZ) (Nadeem) was bought for $65,000.
| Vendor | Waikato Stud |
| Purchaser | China Horse Club (China) |
| Breeding | Pins – Red Delicious |
| Sale | Lot 974, 2017 Select Sale, $36,000 |
| Bred by | G J Chittick |
