It was the Roydon Bergerson trained Distill (NZ) that had the final say in the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m) at Otaki on Friday evening.

Distill (3g Volksraad – Fairy Tipsy by Casual Lies) came from the back of the field and, in a stunning late charge, took over the running from fellow NZ Bloodstock graduates Randall (Howbaddouwantit) and Antonio Lombardo (Pins) to claim his first black-type race.

“We have been taking our time with the horse,” said Bergerson. “He came into the race after a strong trial and he just needed a dry track and we got that.”

“We have had him aimed at this race for some time and I have been unlucky in it in the past so it’s great to finally win it.  He is a horse that will enjoy the extra distance and the NZ Derby looks the ideal race for him.”

Distill had won on debut at Taranaki before running third behind Antonio Lombardo in the G3 Waikato Stud 2YO Classic (1200m).  His two further starts as a two-year-old included a brave fourth in the G1 Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie behind Anabandana (Anabaa).

Distill is by Windsor Park Stud’s 8 time New Zealand Champion Sire Volksraad who is now the sire of 57 stakes winners.  Among that total are 14 at Group 1 level including Sir Slick, Veloce Bella, Velocitea and Military Move.

Distill is a half-brother to the stakes winner Mr Tipsy (Montjeu) and was offered by Windsor Park Stud at the 2010 Karaka Select Sale.  He is the third Group 1 winner for the Karaka Select Sale this season.

Catalogues for the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale will be online on Monday 28 November, with the Karaka Select and Festival catalogues available on Tuesday. For more information please visit www.nzb.co.nz