Ellis Eyes Another Karaka Million

The Informant reports:

Te Akau principal David Ellis has purchased the last two winners of the Karaka Million at Ellerslie, and he has his eye on a hat-trick.

Ellis paid $57,500 to buy Melody Belle at the 2016 sale, then secured Avantage for $210,000 a year later.

During the second session of the 2018 Book 1 sale this afternoon, Ellis went to $625,000 to buy a Snitzel colt (pictured) out of the Gr. 2 Brisbane Cup winner Floria. Offered by Haunui Farm, the colt descends from the Moores' famous Soliloquy family.

“This is a colt who would be on any trainer's short list at any sale in the world,” Ellis enthused. “It wasn't my last bid.

“We've bought him with the aim of winning the Karaka Million, and it's also important that our yearling colts have the scope to train on for the 2000 Guineas as a three-year-old. We think he has that.

“He'll be at the Te Teko trials in August, and then he'll race in November and carry on towards the Karaka Million.”

Ellis is putting together another of his popular and successful colts' syndicates, with the Snitzel colt the first recruit.

“These colts' syndicates have been very successful for us,” he said. “We bought Al Hasa for it last year, and Embellish the year before.

“Earlier there were horses like Rock 'N' Pop, Burgundy, Darci Brahma and Xtravagant, who are all now at stud and delivering an income for their owners.

“These syndicates are hugely popular. This year's one sold out within 48 hours. The Snitzel colt is the first one I've bought for the syndicate this year, with more to follow later today and in the next few days.”

Ellis watched with pride at Ellerslie on Saturday as his purchases shone brightly in the tangerine colours in the Karaka Million meeting at Ellerslie, a day he described as “truly remarkable”. Melody Belle won the Gr. 3 Concorde Handicap, Avantage and Al Hasa ran the quinella among a five-strong Te Akau contingent in the Karaka Million and Embellish was second in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic.

Ellis has already made more than a dozen purchases in Book 1 so far, and this afternoon has seen him raise the stakes. He bought the Snitzel colt soon after going to $380,000 to secure a Savabeel filly out of the Group Three placegetter Far Fetched.