The last two editions of the Karaka Million have been a happy hunting ground
for Haunui Farm and our stallions with graduate Hardline (NZ) (Showcasing)
providing the ultimate result for his sire taking out the 2015 Karaka Million
in his sire's first crop whilst last year saw Xiong Feng (NZ) (Iffraaj) and
Showmeyamoneyhoney (NZ) (Showcasing) provide a Haunui stallion quinella with
the latter also a graduate of the farm.With 14 starters in the 1200m feature, the order of entry has seen some chopping and changing in recent weeks as the race to qualify heats up. As the order of entry currently sits, Haunui Farm leads the way with five Karaka 2016 graduates currently in the top 14 – Princess Rihanna (NZ) (Showcasing), Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), Oscar Eight (NZ) (Showcasing), Ameridon (NZ) (All American) and, Unlikely Story (NZ) (Star Witness). To add further fuel to the fire, resident stallion Showcasing (GB) (Oasis Dream) also has Sharp Diamond (NZ) on the list.
Managing Director Mark Chitty says, "There is still a lot of water to go under the bridge before the race is run on the 29th of January but to have five graduates currently in the top 14 is a big boost to us all here at the farm at what is a crucial and very busy time of the year.
"We moved to our Karaka farm in 2011 after being based at Whitford for over 50 years and over the last few days I've done a bit of reflecting on our success since the move. We foaled our first crop at this farm in 2011 and it's produced two Group One winners to date – Perfect Fit and Bahana – and 25 stakes performers with the oldest crop off the farm just five-year-olds.
"In that time we've also produced the winner of the Karaka Million and have unearthed an emerging young stallion like Showcasing who will have had a runner in the Karaka Million from each of his three eligible crops.
"We head to Karaka 2017 hoping that these results are proof to buyers that they should be taking a serious look at our entire draft from Premier to Festival level. Princess Rihanna, Melody Belle and Oscar Eight are fifth, sixth and eighth respectively in the order of entry for the Karaka Million. Princess Rihanna was a $24,000 purchase from the Select Sale, Melody Belle a $57,500 purchase from Premier and Oscar Eight was a $21,000 purchase from the Festival Sale. Variations in price differ greatly through the three sale levels but a yearling doesn't know its price tag when it walks out of the sale ring and we all know from experience it certainly doesn't dictate success!"
Haunui Farm's Karaka 2017 yearling draft will be on site at New Zealand Bloodstock and ready to inspect on the 24th of January. For more information or, to book an on farm parade prior to the sales, please feel free to call Mark – 021 663 995 – or Shannon – 0212 855 513.
