New Zealand Sales revert to traditional date
After careful thought and consideration, New Zealand Bloodstock has decided to stage its Karaka 2023 National Yearling Sales Series in the traditional selling month of January.
After analysing feedback received from both vendors and buyers, NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook said January stood out as the obvious time to sell.
“Thought had been given to making the move to March permanent, however it is such a congested time of the year with Australian sales and racing,” he said.
“A post-sale canvas of some key Australian buyers supports our view that a January sale will be more beneficial to New Zealand Bloodstock, its vendors and buyers.
“We believe we will get more Australians to a Sale in January, whilst at the same time having the advantage of being the second, rather than sixth, yearling sale in the season.
“From a logistical perspective, we received a lot of feedback from our vendors that it is far easier to get staff in January than in March, and of course, it’s beneficial having the Karaka Million Twilight Race Meeting as an entrée to the week of selling.”
New Zealand Bloodstock can therefore confirm that Karaka 2023 will take place on the following dates:
2023 Karaka Million Twilight Meeting – Saturday 28 January
Book 1 Sale – Sunday 29 January to Tuesday 31 January
Book 2 Sale – Wednesday 1 February to Friday 3 February
Doncaster next for son of Shocking
New Zealand-bred galloper I’m Thunderstruck has come through his second placing in last Saturday’s A$5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) in fine fettle and trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are keen to push on towards the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).
The four-year-old son of Shocking finished a length-and-a-half behind All-Star Mile winner Zaaki, with the race run in a sedate 1:36.54, with the pace slackening mid-race and suiting the on-pace winner.
“That race was two halves,” Price told Radio TAB. “The first bit was Jamie Kah up the front and good luck to her and Zaaki, he is a good horse. She was up the front swinging along running even time with her balaclava on about to steal a $5 million race.
“The other bit was the rest of the field just muddling up on each other.
“I was very proud of Thunder, he went good, it was just one of those races where barrier one was always going to be a bit problematic. He has pulled up great, he had a nice trot and swim this morning and he looks fantastic.
“He’ll go to the Doncaster with 55.5kgs with Hugh Bowman on.
“It will be four runs without over-taxing him then we will give him a little breather and put a weight-for-age campaign in front of him.”
Sporting the colours of OTI Racing, I’m Thunderstruck has earned a remarkable A$5,762,650 in prizemoney money since crossing the Tasman after winning at trial at Te Aroha from Daniel Miller’s barn, after catching the eye of bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo.
Meanwhile, fellow Kiwi import Ayrton is building towards a return after a lengthy stint off following a spider bite.
“He is beautiful. He galloped over 1200m this morning and was very good with it,” Price said.
“He is excellent in himself, his breathing is good and Pat Maloney rode him.
“I think he will only be a couple of weeks off trialling.
“I was thinking he would end up back in Brisbane, Sydney is finished and he needs racing.”