Field Finalised for 2014 Karaka Million

Field Finalised for 2014 Karaka Million

The field for the $1m Karaka Million (Res.L) – New Zealand’s richest race – has been released with the barrier draw conducted live on Radio Trackside with Peter Early and Butch Castles earlier today.

Last year's Karaka Million winner Ruud Awakening.
Connections of Karaka Million eligible two-year-olds have watched with anticipation as a competitive season of two-year-old racing has seen the final field come down to the wire. The full field is now available for viewing online, with four runners from the Premier Sale, eight from the Select Sale, and two from the Festival Sale.
Stakes winner and top qualifier for the race Jackofall (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) has drawn ideally in barrier 6 for trainer Lisa Latta, who will be looking to capture her second Karaka Million following the win ofFort Lincoln (Charge Forward) in 2011. The son of first season sire Mastercraftsman will once again have the services of Jonathan Riddell.
The second top qualifier for the race is the Johno Benner trained Vespa (NZ) (Elusive City). The colt has never finished out of the placings at his first four starts, including two wins. Vespa was an unlucky third in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day after finding trouble throughout the race including inside the last 200m. He will be ridden by Mark du Plessis from barrier 4.
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Karaka 3YO Mile Field Confirmed
The field for the $100,000 Karaka Mile has been confirmed with a strong line-up of leading three-year-olds set to do battle at Ellerslie on Sunday evening.

Last year's Karaka 3YO Mile winner Choice Browith connections after his win.
The $100,000 NZB Insurance Karaka 3YO Mile is one of three feature races at Ellerslie on Sunday evening for horses nominated in the Karaka Million Race Series as yearlings.
At the top of the book is Gobi Ranger (Tale of the Cat), trained by Danica Guy. Last season’s Group 3 Eclipse Stakes winner as a two-year-old has been in sound form this season, finishing second two starts ago in the Group 2 Great Northern Guineas at Ellerslie before being unsuited by a very slow pace in the Group 1 Levin Classic last weekend. International rider Noel Callow has been engaged to ride from barrier 8.
The Bruce Wallace trained Fast Dragon (Fastnet Rock) has been in solid form since returning from Australia. The son of Fastnet Rock has been close-up in his three starts since his Sydney campaign including a close fourth last start in the Group 2 Championship Stakes at Ellerslie and will have the services of leading rider Michael Walker.
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Inaugural Karaka Stayers Cup Attracts Full Field
The inaugural running of the of the $100,000 Westbury Stud Karaka Stayers Cup has drawn a full field of 16, and one ballot, for the 2200m event on the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting at Ellerslie this Sunday.

Horses that are graduates of a New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series – sold or passed in – are eligible for this year’s race, with trainers and owners showing initiative to support the race to capacity.
At the top of the field is Chaparrone (NZ) (High Chaparral) a value $2,000 buy from the 2009 Karaka Select Sale. Trained by Stephen McKee, the daughter of High Chaparral was a narrow second in the Group 2 City of Auckland Cup on New Year’s Day at Ellerslie.
Joint top weight is Mosquito (NZ) (Golan) who defeated Chaparrone at their last meeting in the Group 2 City of Auckland Cup. James McDonald returns to ride the lightly tried stayer once again for Donna & Dean Logan, from barrier 11.

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