Karaka Million headlines the weekends racing

It’s the unbeaten Wolverine who’s at S3.90 with Sportsbet for the $1m 2022 Double Tree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO, with the Karaka 2022 Book 1 now held on 7-9 March.

In drawing barrier 13 of 15 starters, run over 1200m, she’ll be ridden by Leith Innes, who last start won the Eclipse Stakes when stewards up-held a protest when second to Pacific Dragon.

With no previous Million 2YO winner having started from gate 13, trainer Roydon Bergerson showed a brave face when starting ‘I’d rather drawn 13 than one, as she’ll stay out of trouble.’

‘There’s usually a lot of banging and crashing early, and she’ll just be sitting back and smoking her pipe,’ with Vincent Mangano, Probabeel and On The Bubbles having won from gate 14.

‘She doesn’t put herself in the race. She hasn’t done that in any of her starts so far, so even though it’s a little bit of a concern, it’s Leith’s problem now,’ racing in the Australian B’stock silks.

Wolverine has now won all three starts, two at Group 2 level, with Roydon Bergerson and Chris Rutten Bloodstock paying $50,000 at Karaka 2021 Book 1, from the draft of Waikato Stud.

By the Leading Sire of 2YOs in Tivaci, his Iffraaj half-brother sells on Day 2 of 2022 Book 1, being the third foal of the winning O’Reilly mare Knew It, whose both two foals are winners.

In also winning the Wakefield Challenge, Wolverine has revived a champions pedigree, as she’s the family of Ocean Park, Prince Kaapstad and Grunt, thorough her Group 1 third dam Critic.

With David Ellis of Te Akau and trainer Jamie Richards having won the last five 2YO Million races, and jockey Opie Bosson winning the first four, it’s their $3.30 favourite Dynastic who’s drawn 5.

In Dynastic running second at his only start, and Te Akau having four runners, Jamie Richards stated ‘Dynastic’s draw is spot-on, and that’s where he needs to be, giving Opie options to choose.’

‘I’ve been very happy with Dynastic’s build-up, he’s going into the race in really good order. The other is Fellini, who’s been doing everything right and fits a similar profile to previous winners.’

As a $360,000 Te Akau buy from 2021 Book 1, Dynastic is by the fashionable French Derby winner Almanzor, with his Mongolian Khan half-brother being Lot 929 at this Karaka 2022 yearlings.

With Fellini at $6 she has the distinction in winning the Ellerslie 2yo Handicap on 9 January, the same race next-start Millions 2YO’s Rudd Awakening, Probabeel and On the Bubbles also won.

To be ridden by Sam Weatherby from gate 6, she was bought by David Ellis for $40,000 from Karaka 2021 Book 1, having won two from three, with a half-brother by Zacinto being Lot 1066.

Again, it’s Jamie Richards who has three runners in the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic of 1600m, headed by On The Bubbles as the $1.75 favourite, $18 for Sophisticardo and Pin Me Up $26.

In drawing barrier 9 in a 16 capacity field, On the Bubbles, Opie Bosson, will be attempting to be only the second horse to win both the Karaka Million 2YO and the Karaka Million 3YO Classic.

‘I think On The Bubbles is going into this in really good shape. I was disappointed with his trial last week, but he’s bounced back and done everything right since then,’ said Jamie Richards.

There is no doubting On The Bubbles will have a promising career in Hong Kong when Jamie Richards transfer to the Asian colony, having this season won the Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes.

In also winning the Uncle Remus Stakes this season, he was $90,000 Book 1 buy last year, with his half-brother by Stradbroke winner Impending, being lot 433 in Book 1, offered by Curraghmore.

At $7 is Stephen Marsh’s impressive last start winner Miss Ella for Michael McNab is in gate 1, and Tony Pike’s Tattersalls and Geelong Classic winner Tutukaka is $15, in 6 with Leith Innes.

As the Karaka Million twilight meeting will be staged at Ellersie on Saturday, the $1m 2022 Hilton Karaka Million 2YO will be run at 4.29pm and the $1m Magic Million 3YO Classic at 7.48pm.