Karaka Million Draws

The live draws for the $1m Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) and $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Listed, 1600m) was held on Wednesday morning at Karaka.

The two iconic events take place during a six race twilight programme on Saturday at Ellerslie (4.41 p.m. - 7.51 p.m.), with the 3YO Classic at 6.36 p.m. and Karaka Million last to go at 7.51 p.m.

Seeking back-to-back wins after Melody Belle (Commands) combined with rider Opie Bosson to win last year, Te Akau has five runners in the Karaka Million.

Al Hasa (Exceed and Excel) drew barrier 10, to be ridden by Hugh Bowman, Avantage (Fastnet Rock) barrier five for rider Opie Bosson, Pinot Grey (Burgundy) one for Cameron Lammas, Sword of Osman (Savabeel) nine for Michael McNab, and The Real Beel (Savabeel) drew barrier 14 for Danielle Johnson.

During the draw, co-trainer Jamie Richards said: “They are all here on natural ability and we don't put too much extra pressure on our two-year-olds, letting them tell us when they're ready.

“We're fortunate that Dave (Ellis) bought some lovely two-year-olds types.

“The horses are all going well and we were pleased with their work on Tuesday. It's a big effort by the team at home to have five in the race and Steve (Autridge) and I are pleased that our names are in the book."

Richards drew the barrier for Sword of Osman. “He's a lovely horse,” he said. “He wasn't an expensive horse, but has a great attitude, great action, eats and sleeps and does everything right. Although he's only had the one start (an impressive win on debut at Awapuni) he's been to Ellerslie for a gallop and we couldn't be happier with his work.”

Following the draws, Te Akau principal David Ellis said: “I think Avantage has received an unbelievable draw (five) for how we want to ride her. It gives Opie (Bosson) options and I think it couldn't be more perfect.”

Te Akau's sixth 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Embellish (Savabeel) drew barrier 13 for rider Opie Bosson in the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Listed, 1600m).

David Ellis said: “The draw doesn't really matter a lot at the mile (start), to be fair. He's a horse that rolls forward and I don't think it's too bad.

Recently a half-share was purchased in Embellish by Brendan and Jo Lindsay to stand at Cambridge Stud.

“He's a pretty exciting horse and he's been working exceptionally well in the last week and we're really confident he'll go a super race,” Ellis said.

Two-year-old colt Al Hasa, owned by the Te Akau 2017 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), winner of the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) during cup week at Riccarton, was purchased by Ellis for $625,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud.

Filly Avantage, owned by the Te Akau Avantage Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), is unbeaten in three starts, including a win here on 14 January, was purchased by Ellis for $210,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the Oaks Stud draft.

Grey filly Pinot Grey, owned by the Te Akau Pinot Grey Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), could not have been more impressive winning on debut. She was bought by Ellis for $145,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud.

Two-year-old gelding Sword of Osman, owned by the Te Akau Great Sword Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), was purchased by Ellis for $165,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, prepared by Trelawney Stud for breeder Joan Egan.

Blue blood filly The Real Beel, owned by Wayne and Jo-Ann Phillips, a debut winner, was bought by Ellis for $110,000, from the draft of Waikato Stud, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale.

Three-year-old colt Embellish, owned by Te Akau 2016 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Brendan Lindsay MNZM and Jo Lindsay, was purchased by Ellis for $775,000 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud.