A live barrier draw with a new format at Karaka’s iconic Sales Centre has confirmed the final fields for the $1 million Karaka Million 2YO and $1 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic at Ellerslie this Saturday 25 January.
Similar to the Cox Plate barrier draw, horses that were drawn out early gave their connections the opportunity to pick the best starting gate for the million dollar features.
First on the two-year-old order of entry was Not An Option (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt) owned by Cambridge Stud’s Brendan and Jo Lindsay. History repeated itself today when owner Jo and her granddaughter pulled barrier 14, the same barrier drawn by their very own Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) last year who went on to become the Karaka Million 2YO victor.
Ridden by leading Jockey Opie Bosson, Probabeel will have another opportunity to win the lucrative $1 million in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic, giving her the chance to make history and become the first horse to claim back-to-back Karaka Million victories. Owner Brendan Lindsay drew mid-field with barrier number seven for the Group-performing filly.
Part-owner Denise Bassett drew barrier number two for the Jamie Richard’s trained colt Cool Aza Beel (NZ) (Savabeel), while a member of Te Akau’s Fine Red Syndicate drew barrier six for $20,000 Book 1 purchase Bordeaux le Rouge (NZ) (Burgundy). Te Akau Racing now has an opportunity to become the first and only stable to win four consecutive Karaka Million 2YO races.
The only Australian raider in the 3YO field has come from the stables of Lindsay Park Racing who drew barrier four for the Group Two performer Conqueror (AUS) (Fastnet Rock). Co-trainer David Hayes is aiming for back-to-back victories after Long Leaf (Fastnet Rock) took out last year’s Karaka Million 3YO Classic.
