Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The R. Listed Karaka Millions 2YO has been dominated by Te Akau Racing, with the Tangerine Army winning the past seven editions. Last year, it was Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}), while some of Te Akau’s more high-profile scorers are Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel), Avantage (Fastnet Rock) and Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands).
Te Akau Racing has four runners in this year’s final field, as well as the first ballot.
Champion jockey Opie Bosson is a five-time winner and all of his triumphs have been for David Ellis and Co.
The boys have had it over the girls in recent years, winning the past four. The most recent filly to be first home was Probabeel in 2019.
Brilliant stallion Savabeel, who has sired two winners of the races, has three runners this year, as well as the first ballot.
No.1 - Beau Dazzler (NZ)
2-year-old colt, Ardrossan x Pwerfect (Pentire {GB})
Trainers: Tony and Maddysen Sears
Jockey: Robbie Dolan
Barrier: 14
Sale information and pedigree: Paul Moroney Bloodstock / Catheryne Bruggeman / Sears Racing went to NZ$85,000 for this colt at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 2). He was offered by Mapperley Stud.
Beau Dazzler (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Breeder: Dewar Partnership
Beau Dazzler (NZ) is a son of Waikato Stud resident Ardrossan, who has made a big impression during his fledgling career.
The colt is closely related to Gravitation (Galileo {Ire}) - a Group 3 winner in the UK.
Form card: Queensland visitor who boasts a win and two placings from three starts. His maiden victory was in the Listed Phelan Ready S. at Eagle Farm. Has form around the talented Spywire (Trapeze Artist).
No.2 - So Naive (NZ)
2-year-old colt, U S Navy Flag (USA) x Altai Rose (NZ) (Bernardini {USA})
Trainers: Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley
Jockey: Joe Doyle
Barrier: 8
Breeder: Dr KC Tan
Sale information and pedigree: Wallace Thoroughbreds paid Kilgravin Lodge NZ$37,5000 for this colt at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 2).
So Naive (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
So Naive (NZ) is from a half-sister to the stakes performer Natch (NZ) (Thorn Park) and is closely related to Coroner (Ire) (Mtoto {GB}) - a Group 2 winner in France.
The colt’s third dam, Tamnia (GB) (Green Desert {USA}), scored in Listed company in the UK.
Form card: Two wins from three starts, beat Maracatu (NZ) (Ardrossan) last time out.
No.3 - Poetic Champion (NZ)
2-year-old gelding, Super Seth x Regally Blonde (Royal Academy {USA})
Trainer: Tony Pike
Jockey: Craig Grylls
Barrier: 15
Breeder: GSA Bloodstock
Sale information and pedigree: A homebred for Jonathan Munz’s GSA Bloodstock.
The gelding is a son of the G1 Caulfield Guineas hero Super Seth, who is doing a good job for Waikato Stud.
Super Seth | Standing at Waikato Stud
Poetic Champion (NZ) boasts a lovely pedigree, being from a winning half-sister to the elite-level scorer and Group 1-producing sire Starspangledbanner.
He is closely related to the Group 1 heroine Amicus (Fastnet Rock) and the Listed-winning 2-year-old Cheer Leader (Snitzel).
Form card: Scored an impressive win on debut at Hawera, before finishing in the top three at his next two starts.
No.4 - Cool ‘N’ Fast (NZ)
2-year-old colt, Savabeel x Cool ‘N’ Sassy (Testa Rossa)
Trainers: Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson
Jockey: Opie Bosson
Barrier: 4
Breeder: Fairdale Stud
Sale information and pedigree: Hallmark Stud consigned this colt at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1). He was bought for NZ$340,000 by Te Akau’s David Ellis (BAFNZ).
Cool 'N' Fast (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The colt is a brother to Cool Aza Beel (NZ), who won this race in 2020 for the same connections.
Also featuring on Cool ‘N’ Fast’s page are the Group 1 winners Malaguerra (Magnus), Aloha (Encosta De Lago) and Seabrook (Hinchinbrook).
Form card: Touched off Full Force (Cosmic Force) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day.
No.5 - Savaglee (NZ)
2-year-old colt, Savabeel x Glee (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ})
Trainers: Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard
Jockey: Mark Zahra
Barrier: 2
Breeder: Waikato Stud
Sale information and pedigree: A NZ$400,000 purchase for The Oaks Stud from the Waikato Stud draft at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1).
Savaglee (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The colt is out of a winless sister to the stakes performer Symphonic (NZ) and Tralee Chorus (NZ).
Savaglee (NZ) is closely related to the brilliant Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}) - a multiple Group 1 victress, as well as Good Faith (NZ) (Straight Strike {USA}) - a Group 1 victress at two.
Form card: Bolted in on debut at Wellington and wasn’t too far off Cool ‘N’ Fast last time out.
No.6 - Maracatu (NZ)
2-year-old gelding, Ardrossan x Cortado (NZ) (Sepoy)
Trainers: Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson
Jockey: Blake Shinn
Barrier: 11
Breeder: Dewar Partnership
Sale information and pedigree: Davis Ellis (BAFNZ) paid Mapperley Stud NZ$190,000 for this gelding at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1).
Maracatu (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Maracatu (NZ) is out of a winner at two who placed in Listed grade. Cortado is a half-sister to the Listed winner Harb (NZ) (Catbird).
Stakes winner on the gelding’s page include Filante Etoile (NZ) (Soviet Star {USA}) and Valbuena (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).
Form card: Broke through at his second start and wasn’t too far behind So Naive at Ellerslie on January 14.
No.7 - When Stars Align (NZ)
2-year-old colt, Zoustar x Shenandoah (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ})
Trainers: Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson
Jockey: Michael McNab
Barrier: 9
Breeder: Dean and Leigh Hawkins and Llanhennock Trust
Sale information and pedigree: Offered by Wentwood Grange, at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1), this colt was knocked down to David Ellis (BAFNZ) for NZ$400,000.
When Stars Align (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
When Stars Align (NZ) is from a two-time winner who placed at Group 2 level. Shenandoah is a half-sister to the Listed victress Minaj (NZ) (Commands).
The colt’s grandam, Ms Seneca Rock (USA) (Seneca Jones {USA}), scored at Listed level in the US as a 2-year-old.
Form card: A comfortable winner on debut at Trentham in December. The runner-up came out and won well on Wednesday.
No.8 - Full Force
2-year-old colt, Cosmic Force x Jawhara (Exceed And Excel)
Trainers: Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard
Jockey: Ryan Elliot
Barrier: 12
Breeder: Dr Richard McClenahan
Sale information and pedigree: R & E Bloodstock paid Mullaglass Stud $70,000 for this colt at the 2022 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, before Benner Racing went to NZ$135,000 for him at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1) when he was offered by Kilgravin Lodge.
Full Force as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
A son of Newgate Stud Farm’s Group 2-winning young sire Cosmic Force, Full Force is out of a winless mare.
The colt is from the family of the great Fastnet Rock.
Form card: Runner-up at his two starts and was touched off by Cool ‘N’ Fast last time out.
No.9 - Force Of Law (NZ)
2-year-old colt, War Decree (USA) x Back Date (NZ) (Zacinto {GB})
Trainers: Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard
Jockey: Matthew Cameron
Barrier: 5
Breeder: The Wigley Family Trust
Sale information and pedigree: This colt fetched $50,000 at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 2), with Ballymore Stables / Paul Moroney Bloodstock / Catheryne Bruggeman buying him from the Inglewood Stud draft.
Force Of Law (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The colt is from an unraced three-quarter sister to the stakes performer Miss Mandito (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}), and a half-sister to the Group 3 victress Dating (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) and the stakes performer Miracle Miss (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Force Of Law (NZ)’s second dam, Mandate (NZ) (Sound Reason {Can}), won three races, including a Listed contest during her juvenile season.
Form card: Has managed just the one placing in three starts and he was a long way off the winner on that occasion.
No.10 - Bellatrix Star
2-year-old filly, Star Witness x Alana’s Party (Exceed And Excel)
Trainers: Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson
Jockey: Warren Kennedy
Barrier: 6
Breeder: Rob Dunnett
Sale information and pedigree: Phoenix Park offered this filly at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1). She was purchased for NZ$80,000 by David Ellis (BAFNZ) / Fortuna Racing.
Bellatrix Star as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Bellatrix Star is out of a half-sister to the stakes performer Petition (Foxwedge).
The filly’s grandam, The Party Stand (NZ) (Thorn Park), was a talented filly/mare, notching six victories, including the G1 New Zealand S. in 2011.
Form card: Consistent and classy 2-year-old, with two wins and two placings from four starts. Already a Group 2 winner.
No.11 - Velocious
2-year-old filly, Written Tycoon x Parmalove (Snitzel)
Trainer: Stephen Marsh
Jockey: James McDonald
Barrier: 7
Breeder: Inglewood Stud
Sale information and pedigree: This filly was consigned by her breeder at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1). Go racing signed for her for NZ$190,000.
Velocious as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
By one of the great stallions, Velocious is from a two-time scorer who is a half-sister to the stakes winners Liesele (Exceed And Excel) and Loved Up (Nicconi).
The filly is a half-sister to Penvose Lad (U S Navy Flag {USA}) - a winner and Listed placegetter at two.
Form card: Won her first two starts, the second of those in Listed grade, before placing third behind Bellatrix Star in Group 2 company last start.
No.12 - Sunrise (NZ)
2-year-old filly, Charm Spirit (Ire) x Daily At Dawn (Dawn Approach {Ire})
Trainer: John Bary
Jockey: Wiremu Pinn
Barrier: 13
Breeder: Windsor Park Stud
Sale information and pedigree: Sunrise was offered by her breeder at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 2), with TFI and John Bary paying NZ$30,000 for her.
Sunrise (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The filly is out of a two-time winner.
Sunrise (NZ) is closely related to the stakes winners Not A Single Doubt, Come Hither (Redoute’s Choice) and Master Ash (Sebring).
Form card: Broke through at the third time of asking, scoring over 1000 metres in weaker company at Tauherenikau. Savaglee thrashed her on debut.
No.13 - Macaluso (NZ)
2-year-old filly, Savabeel x Chiaretta (NZ) (Makfi {GB})
Trainer: Andrew Forsman
Jockey: Masa Hashizume
Barrier: 10
Breeder: JML Bloodstock
Sale information and pedigree: Elsdon Park offered this filly at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1). She was bought by Forsman Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Bevan Smith Bloodstock for NZ$600,000.
Macaluso (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Macaluso (NZ) is from a winning half-sister to the Listed scorer Members Joy (Hussonet {USA}) - a Listed scorer who herself has thrown Pure Elation (I Am Invincible) - a Group 2 victress. Pure Elation herself has produced the Listed winner Hip Hip Hurrah (Snitzel).
The filly’s second dam, is the Group 3 victress Rosa’s Spur (Flying Spur), who is a half-sister to the Listed winner Rosarino (Perugino {USA}). The latter has thrown the two-time Listed victor Indian Pacific (Zoustar).
Form card: Still a maiden after three runs. Third in Listed company last start, but was beaten a fair way.
No.14 - Hard Attack (NZ)
2-year-old filly, All Too Hard x Vitriolic Attack (Lope De Vega {Ire})
Trainer: Steven Cole
Jockey: Sam Spratt
Barrier: 3
Breeder: Gerry Harvey
Sale information and pedigree: Steve Cole Racing paid Westbury Stud NZ$100,000 for this filly at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1).
Hard Attack (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Hard Attack (NZ) is out of winning three-quarter sister to the Listed victor Snitch (Lope De Vega {Ire}).
Stakes winners on the filly’s page include Gingerbread Man, Iron Horse (Zephyr Zip {NZ}) and Spyglass (NZ) (Sir Sian {NZ}).
Form card: Yet to break through for a win, but has two placings from four starts. Third behind So Naive at Ellerslie last time out.
No.15 - Damask Rose (NZ) (Ballot 1)
2-year-old filly, Savabeel x Sombreuil (Flying Spur)
Trainers: Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson
Jockey: -
Barrier: 1
Breeder: Tony Rider
Sale information and pedigree: Milan Park and David Ellis (BAFNZ) went to NZ$200,000 for this filly at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1). She was offered by Milan Park.
Damask Rose (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Damask Rose (NZ) is from a winning half-sister to the stakes performers Shapita (Foxwedge) and Wassergeist (Fastnet Rock).
The filly’s grandam, Te Akau Rose (NZ) (Thorn Park), saluted in Group 2 grade.
There’s some very good stakes winners on the filly’s page, including Brutal (NZ) and Cavalry Rose (Charge Forward).
Form card: Scored a stylish victory on debut at New Plymouth in late December.
