The growing strength of NZ Bloodstock’s sales incentive races was reflected by the NZ Graded Stakes Committee this week when the Karaka 3YO Mile was upgraded to Restricted Listed status.

The Karaka 3YO Mile forms part of the ‘Karaka Million Series’ for nominated graduates of the National Yearling Sales Series.  

NZ Bloodstock’s Co-Managing Director Petrea Vela is delighted with the race’s new status.  “We are thrilled with how the Karaka 3YO Mile has taken off and that its growing presence on the NZ racing calendar has been recognised.

“Importantly it now gives our clients the chance to chase black-type with their Karaka purchases across both races of the Karaka Million Series.”

Held at the Karaka Million twilight race meeting on the eve of the National Yearling Sales Series, the Karaka 3YO Mile is the second race in the Series after the $1 million Karaka Million for two-year-olds.

In 2010, Joey Massino (O’Reilly) beat a stellar field including G1 performers Kaaptan (Kaapstad) and Time Keeper (Stravinsky).  The Peter McKay trained galloper was a $140,000 graduate of the 2008 Karaka Premier Sale.

This year’s Karaka 3YO Mile  – sponsored for the second year by NZB Insurance in association with its London Underwriters – also saw a strong field take to the Ellerslie course.

The John Sargent trained Champion 2YO Banchee (Oratorio) took top honours.  She beat the likes of stakes winners Yourein (Reset), Encosta Diablo (Encosta de Lago), Hoofit (Mossman), Icepin (Pins) and Hammer Down (O’Reilly).

Unlike the Karaka Million where the final field of two-year-olds is determined according to prizemoney won, the final line-up of three-year-olds is determined by domestic ratings . The Order of Entry for both races is kept up to date throughout the season on the New Zealand Bloodstock website:  www.nzb.co.nz

The 2012 Karaka 3YO Mile will be held at Ellerslie on Sunday, January 29.