Stephen McKee's chances of defending his Karaka
Million title were given a significant boost at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
The Ardmore trainer produced Xiong Feng to win the country's richest two-year-old
race last season and Star Treasure, who is from the same family and who races
in similar ownership, will represent the stable in the Listed feature on
January 29.
"Hopefully, we can all get another result," McKee said.
Star Treasure, whose half-sister by Pins (Lot 820) will be offered by Monovale
Farm at Karaka in 2017, was making his third race day appearance when he
powered to victory under rider Opie Bosson in Monday's Auckland Co-Op Taxis
Juvenile.
The Lonhro colt had finished third on debut at Ellerslie before a tactical
change back-fired when he ran fifth at his previous appearance.
"We rode him handy at Pukekohe where he drew one and he's a very long-legged
horse and it probably wasn't the right thing to do," McKee said.
"I told Opie to ride him a bit colder today. He's a smart colt and he won't
need to run again before the Million."
A $70,000 NZB Premier purchase from the Monovale Farm draft, Star Treasure settled back of midfield from a wide barrier and he lengthened
stride impressively in the straight to win going away by three quarters of a
length.
"He's a good colt and I had a lap full of horse turning for home," Bosson said.
Favourite Haussman gave a bold account of himself on debut to finish runner-up
after hitting the front 250 metres from home. Kapoor ran third ahead of
Sophie's Choice, who was forced to cover extra ground from her outside barrier.–
NZ Racing Desk.