Two Karaka Millions in a Row for Team Te Akau

Last year it was Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), and 12 months later the tangerine colours of Te Akau have made it two in a row in the $1 million Karaka Million (1200m) at Ellerslie.

The unbeaten filly Avantage (NZ) (Fastnet Rock) came out on top in Saturday’s 11th running of the famous race, heading home a quality 14-horse field that included four of her stablemates.

“It’s such a big thrill to have five runners in a race like this,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis, leading buyer at Karaka for the last decade. “They all ran well and the whole team can be extremely proud.”

Ridden by Opie Bosson, who had the choice of the five Te Akau runners, Avantage was beautifully placed throughout the race. She emerged from the pack at the home turn and quickly began to wear down the determined leader Bocce (Foxwedge).

Avantage made the lead inside the last 150 metres, and then she faced another big challenge from her fast-finishing stablemate Al Hasa (NZ). But Avantage lifted and held on by three-quarters of a length.

“I’m thrilled for the owners, they’re a great bunch,” Ellis said. “Winning a race like this is the thrill of a lifetime for them.

“Opie told me very early on that he thought she was a very high-class filly, and he was right.”

Bred by Willie Calder, Avantage was offered by The Oaks Stud at the 2017 Premier Sale and bought by Ellis for $210,000. She has now had four starts for four wins, earning $592,120 in prizemoney for the Te Akau Avantage Syndicate.

Runner-up Al Hasa was a $625,000 purchase at the Premier Sale and has now earned $205,625. The $105,000 Premier Sale purchase Bocce was third, taking his prizemoney earnings to $91,460.