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Karaka Million 2016: Liam Birchley to the fore again?

Roar Guru
21st January, 2016
2

The Karaka Million is New Zealand’s version of the Magic Millions two-year-old race at the Gold Coast, and is in fact the richest sprint race in the country.

It is run at a distance of 1200 metres and will be staged on Sunday at 4.46 pm (AEDT).

While the race is held at Ellerslie (Auckland, New Zealand) it’s eight-year history has largely been dominated by Australian-bought horses who were purchased at the New Zealand Bloodstock yearling sales two years earlier at Karaka, a rural area not far from Auckland.

The race was only conceived eight years ago, yet three Australian-trained two-year-olds have been victorious – Hardline, Ockham’s Razor (later renamed Choice Treasure) and Sister Havana.

Another Aussie, Sarge In Charge, ran a good second in 2009. Below are the eight winners of the race to date.

2015: Hardline
2014: Vespa
2013: Ruud Awakening
2012: Ockham’s Razor
2011: Fort Lincoln
2010: Sister Havana
2009: The Heckler
2008: Vincent Mangano

Queensland trainer Liam Birchley may not be the best known in the land, but his success in the race is unrivalled, guiding both Hardline (last year) and Sister Havana to victory in 2010, as well as Sarge In Charge to the runners-up spot in 2009.

Interestingly, all three horses had a gear change coming into that race, and Birchley is back to try his luck with another worthy candidate this year. As was the case with Hardline last year, Blinkers are going to be applied to his promising two-year-old filly O’Reilly Cyrus.

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This one looks at least as promising as Hardline or Sister Havana going on her debut win at Doomben over 1050 metres on December 4 last year. She sat in a three wide position for most of the race, to surprisingly prevail quite easily in the last 100 metres.

Not too many horses can overcome that tough a run, especially at their first race start, and she really only looked like winning late in that race. The extra 150 metres at Ellerslie should be a real asset and the inclusion of blinkers may well be the difference between a win and a loss.

Former Kiwi jockey Damien Browne takes the ride back in his homeland, and there are few better than him in Australia at present. He also steered Hardline to victory last year.

The other Australian connection in the race is the engagement of Blake Shinn aboard the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Caorunn, a winner in its past two starts after a debut second.

I confess to knowing little about the New Zealand contingent, but I don’t have any of them in my blackbook based on times, so at this stage it doesn’t seem the task is insurmountable for the visiting Queensland horse.

The early favourite is the New Zealand colt Manolo Blahnik, a son of Cox Plate runner-up Jimmy Choux, and Listed Manihi Stakes (South Australia) winner Floramour.

The well-known colours of the Raffles Racing Syndicate (Sacred Star, Sacred Falls) are to be carried by Sacred Elixir, another well in the betting market off a last start win at this track and distance.

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I’m happy to suggest a win bet on the Liam Birchley trained horse O’Reilly Cyrus at the early $6 on offer, and hope that history (again) repeats.

The rise in distance, good barrier, inclusion of blinkers, and trainer are all good pointers to another Aussie success in this race. It’s just a pity it isn’t run on Tuesday!

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