Here's to our NZB Karaka Million Class of 2022

On Saturday at Ellerslie, Te Akau Racing has its sights on its sixth consecutive $1m Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m).

After Vincent Mangano came from well back to win inaugural event in 2008 the race was shared around, however since 2017 Te Akau has had the stranglehold - in fact no other stable has won the Karaka 2YO Million more than once!!

Subsequent dual Horse of the Year and national record-holder for Group 1 wins (14) Melody Belle scored in 2017, eventual nine-time Group 1 winner Avantage in 2018 - both named Champion Two-Year-Old - quadruple Australian Group 1 winner and reigning Horse of the Year Probabeel (Savabeel) in 2019, another Champion Two-Year-Old, Cool Aza Beel (Savabeel), 2020, and consequent Group 1 winner On the Bubbles (Brazen Beau) brought the house down in 2021.

All five were purchased as yearlings by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM at Karaka, from which eligibility is acquired through registration and prize money which determines who makes the field (Order of Entry).

A brief reflection of Te Akau's KM action:

From barrier three, with blinkers on, Melody Belle was out fast before steadying for cover in fourth passing 900m and once clear she pounced on the leaders at the 250m, quickly asserted a two-length advantage and never looked like being beaten. It was a terrific ride by Te Akau stable jockey Opie Bosson and an even better effort by the filly, who really did win well.

Avantage was race favourite for the big dance and proved too good. Catching the start beautifully to situate in fourth again for Opie Bosson, Avantage was clear to challenge on straightening, wound into her work and charged home to score easily. Stable-mate Al Hasa (Exceed and Excel) finished second. 

She absolutely killed them, Probabeel. Take nothing away from stable-mates Melody Belle and Avantage, who won the two previous editions but Probabeel could have surpassed them in completing hat-trick. Flawless in her preliminary, the superiority of Probabeel, after drawing the outside gate (14), to leave her rivals cold with a devastating finish was something to behold - winning by two and three-quarter lengths under (of course) Opie Bosson. Stablemates Aotea Lad (Savabeel) finished second and Yourdeel (Dundeel) third. 

Timing is everything and Bosson got it dead-right when winning Te Akau won its fourth consecutive $1m Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m) with Cool Aza Beel. Away well before steadying to fourth, he ranged three wide rounding the home turn, sprinted to the lead at the 300m and was far too strong when getting clear. Victory gave Opie Bosson a place in history and emulated NZ jockey Shane Dye who famously rode four consecutive Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) winners, 1989 - 92. Cool Aza Beel went on to win the Group 1 Sistema Stakes before being retired to stand at Newhaven Park Stud in NSW.

With success comes expectation and Te Akau Racing duly delivered again when On the Bubbles became its fifth winner. Rider Johnathan Parkes negated the draw (14) to slot in fourth 800m, had On the Bubbles at the ready approaching the home turn and after reaching the lead a furlong out, he drew clear to win by one and three-quarter lengths. Stable-mates Sneaky Shark (Capitalist - a subsequent winner in Sydney this month) finished second, Avonallo (Belardo) third, and Sophisticardo (Burgundy) fourth.  A Te Akau trained First 4!

Importantly, every Te Akau Karaka 2YO Million winner, has trained o0n to be successful at Group 1 level!

This year is no different, as Te Akau prepares five for $1m Doubletree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m). In Order of Entry:

Grey filly Grace ‘N' Grey (2 f Spirit of Boom - Gracious Grey, by Redoute's Choice) led home a Te Akau quinella in the 2YO 1100 metres on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, following a notable debut second to stable-mate I Choose You (I Am Invincible) in a Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 27 November at Te Aroha. Grace ‘N' Grey began smartly, steadied to lead on the bridle, quickened at the 250m to a two-length advantage and safely held stable-mate Dynastic (Almanzor) at bay. She is owned by the Te Akau Gracious Spirit Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.20. 

Fellini (2 g Belardo - Silke Top, by Librettist) had a telling look around when winning a 2YO 1200 metres on 9 January at Ellerslie, having easily won after leading in a Maiden 2YO 1000 metres on 20 December at Pukekohe. He is owned the Te Akau Fine Fashion Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.20.

Lord Cosmos (2 g Pierro - Cosmic Powers, by Not A Single Doubt) did it stylishly when winning a Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 22 December at New Plymouth, from a somewhat forlorn position he powered up with raking strides to reel in a wavering leader near the line. He is owned by the Te Akau Galactic Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Fixed odds: $18.00 & $5.00. 

Dynastic (2 c Almanzor - Meir, by Volksraad) should have lost no detractors after racing three wide near the pace and finishing second to Grace ‘N' Grey (above) in a 2YO 1100 metres on Boxing Day at Ellerslie. He is owned by the Te Akau 2021 Stallion Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.90. 

One on ballot: Time Flies (2 g Time Test - Rorippa, by Towkay) tried hard when a close second on debut in a Maiden 2YO 1000 metres on 20 December at Pukekohe, and was third to Fellini (above) in a 2YO 1200 metres on 9 January at Ellerslie. He is owned by Sam and Catriona Williams (Little Avondale Stud) and Chris Rutten (Cavallo Farm). Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.50.

$1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m). In Order of Entry:

Second to stable-mate Sword of State (Snitzel) in title for Champion Two-Year-Old, On The Bubbles (3 g Brazen Beau - More Bubbles, by Sebring) was back winning on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, taking out the Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m). He will attempt to match stable-mate Probabeel (Savabeel), the first and only horse to achieve the Karaka Million double in 2019. He is owned by the Te Akau Splash of Dom Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Fixed odds: $1.80. 

Sophisticardo (3 g Burgundy - Glamorous Girl, by Thorn Park) finished fourth to On The Bubbles in the Karaka Million 2YO, ran the fastest 600m (33.8) closing for third in a 3YO 1200 metres on 11 December at Te Rapa, and was fourth again in the Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on Boxing Day at Ellerslie. He is owned by the Te Akau Glammed-Up Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Fixed odds: $12.00. 

Pin Me Up (3 f Pins - Brampton Loco, by O'Reilly) ran the fastest last 600m when second in each of her first two starts, before justifying favouritism in a Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 18 December at Te Rapa. Up in class, she ran home solidly for fourth in a 3YO 1500 metres on 9 January at Ellerslie. She is owned by Peter Collier. Fixed odds: $16.00. 

 

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