Super Saturday also takes us across the ditch to Ellerslie, where four Group 1s are situated besides the inaugural running of the richest race to hit New Zealand as well as their first-ever slot race, the NZB Kiwi.
When Racing X headed over to Auckland to cover the Karaka raceday, we experienced the incredible hospitality of the Auckland Racing Club both on and off the track, and for Barfoot and Thompson Champions Day, they have upped the ante once again. With off-the-track entertainment including the 20th running of the Ned Prix de Fashion, where style icons from around the country compete in the ultimate national fashions in the field final, as well as UK DJ Jax Jones set to round off the meeting with another epic Birdcage Bash afterparty.
We kick off the Group 1 action in Race 4 with the Gr. 1 Sistema Stakes, run over the 1200m and highlighted by some of the best sprinters this season. This race very much appears to be the tangerine army versus the rest, with Return to Conquer, La Dorada, and He Who Dares all in top contention. Return to Conquer looks to keep his picket fence intact, with his unbeaten record enough to lure Blake Shinn away from the Flemington Group 1 scene for the day. Meanwhile, Group 2 Matamata Breeders Stakes winner La Dorada is also looking to extend his winning streak to three on the trot. He Who Dares is still lightly raced with a win on debut followed by a second in the Group 2 Matamata Slipper. The only other runner in the single digits is debutant winner Lucy in the Sky, who impressed us all on debut at Ellerslie a fortnight ago.
Race 5 sees the Group 1 HKJC World Pool NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes, with a familiar name to us Aussies set to take her place at Ellerslie. Two-time Sydney Group 2 winner Belclare has returned to NZ, but unfortunately her top form hasn’t seemed to have followed her with two disappointing runs at Ellerslie as of late. Whereas the inform Acquarello is looking to impress at the highest level following her recent second in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes, the market only has eyes for the winner of said Champagne Stakes, Legarto, who impressed first up after an extended spell.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s sweetheart, Orchestral, returns to Ellerslie in Race 6 for the Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes following her recent third placing in the Group 1 Otaki-Moari Classic. Joining her is La Crique, who has been super consistent as of late, running second in three Group 1 races—very deserving. Blake Shinn once again partners with Te Akau for the uber-consistent Qali Al Farrsha, who has also been knocking on the door for a win with second placings in her last three starts. With B. Shinn and Barrier 1, the tangerine dominance could continue.
Despite not being a Group 1, our headline act is the inaugural running of New Zealand’s first-ever slot race, The Kiwi, whose record-breaking prize money has attracted a number of Aussie raiders. The Aussies dominate amongst the punters with Hayes Bros Evaporate making the trip to New Zealand following a brave run in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes, as well as Public Attention, who took out the Group 3 Eskimo Prince at Randwick first up. Bjorn Baker and slot-race king Ash Morgan also join the Aussie contingent with perfumist who has developed a reputation as Miss Consistent despite this being her first contest against some top-quality competition. As for the locals, all eyes are on Listed Karaka Millions 3yo winner Damask Rose, who has only finished outside of the placings once in her six-start career, as well as Sethito, who boasts similar form.
The Group 1 NZ Derby rounds out the day’s Group 1 racing with favourite Willydoit looking to bounce back to his winning ways after a disappointing run in the Gr. 2 Avondale Guineas. This is a huge step up in class, so plenty of question marks surround this fella. Meanwhile, proven contender Tuxedo has been challenged with the wide draw of 16 but looks perfectly placed by the training team regardless. Oceana Dream has had an impressive start to his racing career, notching up two wins and a third at Group 2 level in his first preparation, blessed with the inside draw and perfectly placed by NZ training legends—you can’t overlook him!
