Karaka Graduates G2 Quinella

Media Release - Sunday December 23

Karaka graduates filled the quinella in Saturday's $100,000 Kamada Park Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni, with (NZ) Shadows Cast (Per Incanto) claiming the second Group Two win of his career.

Shadows Cast was offered for a $10,000 reserve at the 2014 South Island Sale, but he was passed in.

Shadows Cast - Race ImagesHe has since become a star sprinter-miler, stepping up to Group Two level with a dead-heat victory in the 2017 Coupland's Bakeries Mile (1600m) at Riccarton.

On Saturday he did it again against a quality weight-for-age field. He improved out of midfield approaching the home turn and threw down a fierce challenge to the $50,000 Select Sale purchaseContessa Vanessa(NZ) (Bullbars).

With Johnathan Parkes in the saddle, Shadows Cast gradually got the better of that rival through the final 300 metres and won by half a length.

"He's a good horse who's always been thereabouts in the best company," Parkes said. "I was able to get him off the fence heading into the straight, and he's just been too strong."

Shadows Cast has now had 32 starts for nine wins, nine placings and $304,452 in prize-money – more than 30 times his reserve at the 2014 South Island Sale.

"This horse has always been pretty good," proud owner Ron Cunningham said. "Mark (Oulaghan) has done a great job training him."

Runner-up Contessa Vanessa, herself a Group 2 winner, has had 26 starts for five wins, 10 placings and $300,091 – six times her purchase price.

Vendor C.M. Harris
Purchaser
Breeding Per Incanto – Ages Past
Sale Lot 118, 2014 National Yearling Sales Series (South Island Session), Psd (Res $10,000)
Bred by Miss CM Harris
Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Little Avondale and Per Incanto Step Up to the Big Time
Karaka 2020 looms as a bumper week for Wairarapa’s Little Avondale Stud and their high-flying stallion Per Incanto.
Per Incanto's Unicorn Wins Sha Tin Feature
Red-hot jockey Zac Purton had to settle for second in Sunday afternoon’s feature at Sha Tin as Classic Unicorn, a son of Little Avondale stallion Per Incanto, made it two from two in the Class 3 Members Cup Handicap (1000m).
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
G3 Winner for Per Incanto
Tenacious six-year-old Mauna Kea scored the biggest win of his career to date when his never-say-die attitude paved the way for a gritty victory in Saturday’s Group III Gee & Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham.
Petagna Juggernaut Continues
After enjoying a successful day at Te Aroha on Saturday with Group One winner Nicoletta and promising three-year-old Santa Catarina, owner Lib Petagna and his familiar lime, blue and gold colours were to the fore again on Sunday when speedy two-year-old Ramazzotti scored over 800m on debut at Pukekohe.