Hong Kong Possible for Mac Attacka

Media Release - Sunday July 14

Offshore interest in promising galloper Mac Attacka was piqued yet again on Saturday after the impressive three-year-old produced a powerful closing burst to take out the last race on the card at Ruakaka.

Mac Attacka - image Trish DunnellThe Makfi gelding had impressed many when winning two of his first three starts which led to his potential sale to Hong Kong interests.

Despite passing the vetting requirements for the sale, the deal fell through which led to Saturday's reappearance over 1600m and another eye-catching victory.

Settled near last by rider Matt Cameron, Mac Attacka was still well back approaching the home turn as Cameron eased him to the outside to make his challenge. Several huge bounds carried him to the front inside the last 200m as he drove clear to score by a widening three-quarter length margin.

"I think that was his best win to date," co-trainer Chris Gibbs said.

"He beat a handy field and did it like a horse who had plenty up his sleeve.

"With all the activity going on with the sale and what not, we hadn't done too much with him, but when that fell through, we decided to run him and he did the job for us."

Despite believing the horse has the ability to compete at a higher level, Gibbs isn't looking too far ahead as further expressions of interest in purchasing him came in overnight.

"It's no secret he is for sale and the phone was ringing again last night," Gibbs said.

"A performance like that will certainly get people interested so we're not really in a position to plan out a campaign for him as he could be gone just as quickly.

"Obviously if he stays with us, we will be looking at some of the better spring and summer races but at this stage I can't really say what is going to happen."

Advertisement

The Gibbs/Bradley combination was in the thick of the action throughout the day on their home turf, taking out the opening event with two-year-old debutant Annie's Song as well as producing Poker Face to win the day's feature race, the ITM/GIB Whangarei Gold Cup (2100m).

In between times they also narrowly missed making it four wins for the day when promising stayer Amazing Az was beaten by a nose over 1600m.

"It was a really good day and we won with horses who have bright futures ahead of them," Gibbs said.

"Poker Face has really come into his own now he has stepped up over some ground.

"I actually thought he might be a little out-gunned at the weights but he ended up winning comfortably.

"He may have found his niche over ground so I think we will probably back off him a little and look to races like the Waikato Cup (Gr.3, 2400m) or Counties Cup (Gr.3, 2100m) later this year.

"Those are the types of races that Amazing Az could contest as well so we may have a job on our hands trying to keep them apart.

"Annie's Song was very impressive and will only get better as she steps up in distance.

"I really like her and a race like the Northland Breeders' Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) back here in September is one we will be keen to see her contest." – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Westbury Stud Bred Ho Ho Khan Wins G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup
Ho Ho Khan (NZ) (Makfi) could have been bought for $65,000 at the 2016 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, and he took his earnings past HK$6 million (NZ$1.
$190,000 Per Incanto Colt Heads Vibrant Weanling Sale
The  2025 National Weanling Sale saw its first dual-code weanling session in play at Karaka, with a total aggregate of $2,410,000 outlaid across 84 lots by a strong domestic buying bench plus international support from Australia, Hong Kong and China.
One to Watch - Te Rapa
A dashing grey filly from the family of brilliant Australian Group II winner Pure Elation was a One to Watch in Friday in New Zealand.
Another Aloisia?
OTI Racing had a lot of success in spring 2017 with a tried Kiwi purchase in high class filly Aloisia and may have found one to follow in her footsteps.
Mulberry Racing Secure Everest Slot
Racing NSW today announced that Mulberry Racing has secured a slot in the $20 million TAB Everest for a term of three years commencing with the running of this year’s race.
Makfi Gelding Wins Wanganui Guineas
Lightly raced three-year-old Cooga Doon made it two wins from two starts when he took out the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1340m) in sensational fashion on Saturday.
Flying Artie 2YO Wins by Four!
Blue Gum Farm have an appealing roster of three sires for this spring and while it’s all in front of Sejardan and Oxley Road, proven favourite Flying Artie remains unbeatable value and the G1 sire produced a four length 2YO winner on Thursday.
Promising 2YOs for Pike
Tony Pike found it difficult to split his juvenile charges the last time they took each other on and it’s the same story at Ruakaka.
Cambridge Stud to Sell Entire Draft at Karaka 2026
Leading thoroughbred nursery Cambridge Stud have committed their full support for NZB’s 2026 National Yearling Sales Series, with the announcement they will be selling 100% of their yearling stock at Karaka. 
Do Early Winners Equate to Long Term Stud Success?
As we move towards the end of the racing season, attention invariably focuses on first season sires and who will be the leader of the cohort by winners and it’s a close run race this year, but does any of it matter in the grand scheme of things?