Catalonia a Karaka Million Contender

Catalonia a Karaka Million Contender

Exciting two-year-old colt Catalonia (NZ) lived up to the hype and hinted at greater things at Te Rapa on Saturday with a commanding victory in the $50,000 Listed Wentwood Grange Stakes (1100m).

The win has seen Catalonia (Commands x Valpolicella) take his stakes earnings to $33,500, enough to take him straight to third place in the Karaka Million Order of Entry.

“He’s an absolute professional and I think he’s right up there with Darci Brahma, King’s Chapel and Maroofity which are among the best two-year-olds we have had,” commented David Ellis.

To view the full article please, click here. To view Catalonia’s three-quarter sister by Redoute’s Choice that will be offered by Haunui Farm at Karaka 2013, click here.

Bred: Haunui Bloodstock, Frantic Bloodstock and Garry Cranny. Offered: Haunui Farm. Purchased: David Ellis. Price: $150,000 - 2012 Karaka Premier Sale.

Darci Brahma Success Continues

With his progeny running hot, young sire Darci Brahma picked up his sixth stakes winner at Te Rapa on Saturday with Sir Lovesalot (NZ) winning the $50,000 Listed Shaw’s Wire Ropes Sprint (1400m).

In a field stacked with talent, Sir Lovesalot (Darci Brahma x Sound Lover) was at the top of his game and held off the advances of Spin Doctor (Pins) and Shandream (Pins) to win by a length in a Karaka trifecta.

Trained by Donna & Dean Logan, Sir Lovesalot has now won five of his 11 career starts and came into the race off the back of a good win at Counties in much the same fashion, racing on the pace and kicking away in the finish.

Bred and sold: Little Avondale Stud. Purchased: IDL Racing Ltd - $220,000 - 2010 Karaka Premier Sale

Soriano the 21st for Savabeel

Consistent three-year-old filly Soriano (NZ) took her first stakes victory – and her first points in NZB’s Filly of the Year Series – with a tough win in Saturday’s $70,000 Group 3 Ezibuy Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni.

Trained by Graeme & Debbie Rogerson, Soriano (Savabeel x Call Me Lily) earned six points in New Zealand Bloodstock’s Filly of the Year Series, taking her to a share of third place with Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes winner Pure Elegance (Redoute’s Choice).

Second and third placed Emerald Queen (O’Reilly) and Lovetessa (O’Reilly) also earned their first points in the NZB Filly of the Year Series, taking 3 and 1.5 points each.

To view the race schedule and current points table for the Filly of the Year Series, click here. To view the full article please, click here.

Bred: Denise Howell. Offered: Dormello Stud - 2011 Karaka Premier Sale.

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Deane Martin Salutes in Championship Prelude

Deane Martin looks to have an exciting future ahead of him for a jubilant bunch of owners after he took out the $50,000 Listed Mad Butcher Championship Prelude (2100m) at Ellerslie yesterday.

Already a winner at Ellerslie, the Bruce Wallace trained Deane Martin (Keeper x Ela Nimue, by Zabeel) came into the race off the back of a last start third and put up a tough staying performance to win by just over half-a-length, a good trial for the New Zealand Derby next year.

To view the full article please, click here.

Bred: Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan. Offered: Cambridge Stud – 2011 Karaka Premier Sale.

Fabulous November Takes HK Griffin Trophy

Karaka Premier Sale and Hong Kong International Sale graduate Fabulous November won the HK$2 million Griffin Trophy (1400m) at Sha Tin last night, a leading griffin race in Hong Kong.

Fabulous November. Photo courtesy of the HKJC
Trained by Richard Gibson, Fabulous November (Pins x Glitzy) has shown all the makings of a good horse in Hong Kong, putting together back-to-back victories and taking his record to four starts for two wins and two placings.

Gibson commented after the race that Fabulous November will now be spelled and winning co-owner Stephen Chang Tso Tung expects the horse to be even more competitive over a mile.

Bred and sold: Waikato Stud. Purchased: Hong Kong Jockey Club - $300,000 – 2011 Karaka Premier Sale.

Karaka Million Order of Entry Heating Up

Sunday’s Countdown to the Karaka Million 2YO (1100m) at Ellerslie saw another two-year-old – Gobi Ranger – make a good impression when winning his debut for his Singapore owner Dr KC Tan.

Trained by Danica Guy, Gobi Ranger (Tale of the Cat x Big Step) won both his trials coming into yesterday’s race where he beat a field of ten two-year-olds by just under two lengths, earning $7,550 in stakes.
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