Two-year-old races at Ellerslie and Trentham this Saturday will give a number of Karaka Million hopefuls the chance to secure their place in the field for the $1 million feature at Ellerslie on January 29.
The winner of the Wellington Provedoring 2YO Premier (1200m) at Trentham will earn prize-money of $18,750. Even if the winner has earned nothing before this race, that prize would be enough to propel that horse (if eligible) into fifth place on the current order of entry – behind only Gift of Power ($110,525), Hasahalo ($62,000), Star Treasure ($33,150) and Talaria ($31,950).
Ellerslie's race, the Countdown to Karaka 2017 (1200m), is worth $12,000 to the winner. That would also almost certainly assure the winner of a place in the Karaka Million starting gate.
The Ellerslie race carries particular interest, with eight of the 10 runners eligible for the Karaka Million.
At the top of the field is Felton Road (NZ) (Pins), an impressive winner of his only start to date. He has earned $5,900 in prize-money and is right on the bubble of a Karaka Million place. He is currently 19th on the order of entry.
"This race is all about cementing his place in the Karaka Million field," trainer Tony Pike said this week.
Among those standing in his way is the Dalghar gelding Bombard (NZ), who has had a second, a fifth and a seventh in his three-start career. The Stephen McKee-trained runner has earned $2,025 and is 28th on the table.
The Brendon Hawtin-trained Mighty Power (NZ) (Power) has had one start for a second, earning $1,400 and currently 34th.
Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) is already almost guaranteed a place in the Karaka Million field. The Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained filly sits in seventh place on the table, having earned $14,375 in stakes from a debut win and a third placing in the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1200m).
Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott's runner Nothin' On Me (NZ) (Not A Single Doubt) also has a black-type placing to her name, finishing third in the Listed Murdoch Newell Stakes (1100m). A subsequent fifth placing lifted her earnings to $5,500 and leaves her 20th on the table.
The John Bell-trained Kapoor (NZ) (Reliable Man) has had two starts for a third and a seventh, earning $4,750 and currently 22nd on the order of entry.
Neither Onezerofive (NZ) (Pins) nor Electrode (NZ) (Pins) feature on the order of entry because Saturday's race will be their debut. They will need to win at Ellerslie to have any chance of gaining a Karaka Million start.
The 11-horse field for the Trentham event includes four runners who are Karaka Million-eligible.
The Brendon Hawtin-trained Padraig (NZ) (Power) has had one start so far for a third placing, earning $850 to sit in 39th place on the order of entry.
Steven Cole's runner Peaceful Falls (NZ) (Niagara) has picked up a third and a fifth from two starts, pocketing $1,950 and currently 31st on the table.
The Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained Aquilo (Snitzel) and Graeme and Debbie Rogerson's runner Santuzza (NZ) (Savabeel) are both on debut and will need to win to move into contention.
The barrier draw for the $1m Karaka Million2YO racetakes place on Wednesday 25 January.
