Fort Lincoln wins the Karaka Million

A late rails run by Fort Lincoln has seen the two-year-old become the highest earning juvenile in New Zealand for the 2010/2011 season as he impressively took out the coveted Karaka Million.

Trained by Lisa Latta and ridden by Jonathan Riddell, Fort Lincoln (Charge Forward x Belle Toujours) came from the back of the field on the rails at the point of the turn. Producing a late turn-off-foot right on the aluminium, he ran down the race leaders to win by a head at the post.

It was Lisa Latta's first tilt at the Karaka Million and she was thrilled with the two-year-old's performance.

"He ran very well, he produced a good turn-of-foot and really hit the line strongly and Jonathan produced a great ride.

"It's a wonderful result for our owners; he's a horse that continues to improve and shows more and more ability so he will be an exciting prospect.

"We saw the horse at the Premier Sale last year and he looked like he was the type that would run early so we bought him with the Karaka Million in mind, so to actually go out and win the race is a great result.

"We will have to sit down and decide where to send him next, the Sires Produce is a race we would like to see him run in so we will see how he goes in the coming weeks."

Trainer Peter McKay came within a head of taking his second Karaka Million title with Antonio Lombardo (Pins x Petit Verdot). The colt came wide on the turn coming from the back of the pack and looked to have the race sewn up with 50 metres to go before Fort Lincoln stormed past just short of the line.

Running into third was the talented filly Planet Rock (Fastnet Rock x Akris) who was a brilliant winner of the Count Down to the Karaka Million 2YO at her last start, and is another exciting two-year-old who will be one to watch in her coming races.

Fort Lincoln is owned by John Street, the owner of Lincoln Farms, and is now the earner of over $550,000. The two-year-old was bred by J L Egan & M Kent and was bought by Lisa Latta Training Stables from Curraghmore Stud at the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale for $110,000. Last night's performance saw him notch up his second win from seven starts.

Curraghmore Stud will be offering a full-brother to Fort Lincoln at Lot 191. His sire Charge Forward has a small but strong draft of three yearlings in the Karaka Premier Sale.

The National Yearling Sales Series kicks off today with the Premier Sale starting at 11am. The Premier Sale will be broadcasted live on Sky Sport Three from 10.30am. For more information please contact New Zealand Bloodstock or visit www.nzb.co.nz.