Richards & Te Akau Shoot for More Karaka Million Magic

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“He's had a good preparation. He had the luxury of a break after that first win, then won at Ellerslie a fortnight out from the Karaka Million. It just feels like there's a sense of timing with him.”

Ellerslie's Karaka Million twilight meeting is little over a decade old, but champion trainer Jamie Richards and Te Akau Racing have already built a record that is unlikely to be matched - and could get even better this weekend.

They have won the Karaka Million 2YO in each of the last four years with Melody Belle, Avantage, Probabeel and Cool Aza Beel. Two of those wins have also been stable quinellas, along with one trifecta. Probabeel returned as a three-year-old 12 months ago to add the Karaka Million 3YO Classic, becoming the first horse to complete the double.

Despite the absence through suspension of star jockey Opie Bosson, who rode all of those previous winners, the Richards-Te Akau team for the 2021 Karaka Million meeting is as formidable as ever.

They have no fewer than 13 runners throughout the star-studded six-race programme, including five shots at a fifth consecutive victory in the DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO.

“We've been happy with how the build-up has gone,” Richards said. “Everything has gone to plan so far. This week is all about putting the polish on them and getting them to the races in the right condition to perform to their very best on the day, and we're hopeful that we've achieved that.”

The $3.80 favourite is On The Bubbles, a son of Brazen Beau bought for $90,000 by David Ellis from Leanach Lodge's draft at Karaka 2020.

The gelding scored a gutsy victory on debut at Awapuni on December 19, then outclassed his opposition by three lengths in Te Akau's traditional Karaka Million lead-up race at Ellerslie on January 10.

“I just like the way he's gone about things,” Richards said. “He had to do a bit of work at Awapuni but still held on to win, and then he was able to sit back at Ellerslie and won impressively in a race that we've used very successfully as a Karaka Million lead-up.

“He's had a good preparation. He had the luxury of a break after that first win, then won at Ellerslie a fortnight out from the Karaka Million. It just feels like there's a sense of timing with him.”

Millefiori, who is the second favourite at $4.40, has also had two starts for two wins. The Iffraaj filly scored at Ellerslie on November 28, then at Tauranga last Friday after her preparation was briefly held up due to a temperature.

“She won well again last week,” Richards said. “She's got to handle a quick back-up from that, but we're not doing much with her in between times. We'll give her a quiet week, and as long as she's doing well in the food bin, we'll be confident that she's going into the race in good order.”

Avonallo won the Listed Welcome Stakes at Riccarton in November, while Sophisticardo and Sneaky Shark are chances at longer odds.

“I expected Avonallo to take a lot of improvement out of his last-start fourth in the Eclipse Stakes, and I think he's done that,” Richards said. “He's going the right way. He'll have blinkers on for the first time on Saturday, which should help him.

“Sophisticardo and Sneaky Shark are both sneaking into the race under the radar. Sophisticardo was good on Boxing Day without a lot of luck (sixth, beaten by 2.2 lengths). He might be one to watch at odds.

“On face value, Sneaky Shark was a bit disappointing at Tauranga. We believe he's capable of better than that, possibly with some headgear added.”

After a breathtaking win in the Gr. 2 Eight Carat Classic over the same course and distance, Savabeel filly Amarelinha is vying for favouritism in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic.

“She was hugely impressive on Boxing Day, and she's continued to go the right way since,” Richards said. “She trialled very nicely last week and certainly hasn't taken a backwards step. We believe she's going into this race in great shape.”

Supreme Khan and Perfect Scenario will also take their place in the 1600-metre feature.

“They're both talented types,” Richards said. “Supreme Khan was a last-start second to Bonham, who boosted that form by winning the Group One at Trentham last Saturday. I think he'll be a live chance.

“Perfect Scenario ran second last time, but I was expecting just a little bit more that day. He's done well since then and could be an each-way chance with the right run.”

Multiple stakes winner Need I Say More gets the day underway, carrying topweight in the Gr. 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy.

“It's his first run since the 2000 Guineas in November, but he's had a very good trial and exhibition gallop,” Richards said. “We now believe he's a sprinter, and we're looking forward to getting him to Ellerslie for this race. He's going to have to carry a bit of weight, but he's earned it.”

In A Twinkling brings strong form into the CollinsonForex Karaka Cup, having won the Gr. 3 Counties Cup, run third in the Gr. 1 Zabeel Classic and an unlucky fourth in the Gr. 3 City of Auckland Cup in his last three starts.

“He's in a real purple patch of form, and he hasn't gone backwards at all since his last run,” Richards said. “He also has a big weight to carry, but that's deserved.”

Course specialist Star of Bombay tackles a superb field in the Gr. 2 Westbury Classic, while Festivity and Entriviere will take their places in the Gr. 3 Brighthill Farm Concorde Handicap.

“Star of Bombay is a classy mare who saves her best for Ellerslie,” Richards said. “She's up against a super field this weekend - the likes of Levante, Showoroses, Kiwi Ida and others. It's not going to be easy for her, but we want to try to chase more black-type with this mare, so we'll give her the opportunity.

“Festivity and Entriviere are two lovely sprinting mares. Unfortunately having Julius up the top has compressed the weights for this race, meaning our two won't quite get the advantage we might have hoped for.

“There's also a chance that Entriviere will be stuck on the ballot, which would be a real shame. We think she's a mare with a very bright future.” - note Entriviere has made the field and will take her place.