The Chosen One (NZ) Heads Karaka Trifecta in Manawatu Classic

Karaka graduates dominated the finish of Saturday’s $70,000 Group 3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2000m) at Awapuni, headed by the blue-blooded Savabeel colt The Chosen One (NZ).

From the iconic South Island ‘The’ family and a grandson of the dual Group 1 winner The Jewel (NZ) (O’Reilly), The Chosen One was passed at the 2017 Premier Sale with a $150,000 reserve.

Retained by his breeders, the Dennis brothers, in partnership with a large group of owners, The Chosen One scored his second stakes win in Saturday’s three-year-old feature.

The runner-up Spring Delight (NZ) (Tavistock) was a $400,000 purchase at the 2017 Premier Sale, while the $90,000 weanling purchase Blue On Black (Camelot) was third.

The Chosen One made a huge impression in the spring, winning his first two starts including the Listed Zacinto Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton. Little had gone right for him since then, including in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) where he was badly hampered twice and did well to make up late ground for a midfield finish.

On Saturday he was right back to his best, settling in the middle of the 16-horse field before pouncing in the straight. With a powerful finishing burst, he swept past Spring Delight in the last 100 metres to win by half a length.

Trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman will now consider a shot at next Saturday’s A$2 million Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick.

“We’d have to fly him over on Tuesday, so there’s not much time, but it’s something we’ll have to think about,” Baker said. “But we were confident of a big run today and he won it well.

“It was a very good effort from Spring Delight as well, especially for a filly up against the male three-year-olds.”

The Chosen One has now had nine starts for three wins, two placings and $112,500 in prize-money.