Stage Set for Another Spectacular Karaka Million 2YO

Ellerslie Racecourse will play host to arguably the most exciting 70 seconds in New Zealand sport on Saturday when 14 highly talented two-year-olds clash in the 13th Karaka Million 2YO.

Introduced in 2008, the Restricted Listed 1200-metre race has rapidly grown into one of the most iconic races on the New Zealand calendar.

It has been won by subsequent Group One performers such as The Heckler (Lucky Owners), Ruud Awakening (Bernardini), Vespa (NZ) (Elusive City), and the last three winners Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), Avantage (Fastnet Rock) and Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel).

A quality line-up of two-year-olds will bid to join that honour roll on Saturday evening, with favouritism belonging to the undefeated Play That Song (NZ) (Showcasing).

Bought for $40,000 at Book 2 of Karaka 2019 by Tiley Racing, Play That Song has had three starts for three impressive wins including the Group Two Eclipse Stakes (1200m) and Listed Wellesley Stakes (1000m).

In the Eclipse Stakes, she beat the $240,000 Book 1 purchase Not An Option (Not a Single Doubt), who had made a huge impression winning both of his previous starts including the Group Two Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m). He is back for a rematch on Saturday.

Tivaan Warrior (NZ) (Swiss Ace), Hasstobemagic (NZ) (Scissor Kick) and Amor Fati (NZ) (Showcasing) have all been stakes-placed, while seven others have won races including the multiple winners Cool Aza Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) and Lovebug (NZ) (Iffraaj).

Cool Aza Beel and Bordeaux Le Rouge (NZ) (Burgundy) are both trained by Jamie Richards, who has won this race with Melody Belle, Avantage and Probabeel in the last three years and is shooting for four in succession.

The Karaka Million 2YO will be run as Race 4 on Saturday with a start time of 6:30pm.

View the full Karaka Million 2YO field online.

To watch the replay of the live barrier draw click here.

KARAKA 2020 SCHEDULE:

Karaka Million Twilight Meeting: Saturday 25 January at Ellerslie

Book 1: Sunday 26 – Tuesday 28 January

Book 2: Wednesday 29 – Friday 31 January

Book 3: Friday 31 January