Icepin became the latest graduate of the NZ Bloodstock Karaka Million to grab black-type when he won the G3 Taranaki 2YO Classic at New Plymouth on Saturday.

Icepin (2g Pins – Ice Maiden by O’Reilly) was coming off a sound second to Sister Havana (General Nediym) in the 2010 Karaka Million to score by a half-length on Saturday.  The big striding chestnut led the strong 10 horse field and then stretched out when Lisa Allpress gave him more rein in the straight.

Icepin is trained by Mark Walker and was bred and sold by Waikato Stud for $40,000 at the 2009 Karaka Premier yearling sale.  Owner Herbie Dyke sourced another $40K yearling from Waikato at Karaka this year in the shape of a Fast n Famous filly out of Look at Moiye (O’Reilly).

The Karaka Million has been the launching pad of Group 1 winners the calibre of The Heckler & Il Quello Veloce (Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes), Kaaptan (Diamond Stakes) and Katie Lee (NZ 1000 & 2000 Guineas).

Other Group winners include San Bernadino (G3 Stewards Hcp), Mexican Rose (Singapore Juvenile Championship), Raid (LR Lion Red Plate) and Noble Manor (Singapore Kranji Stakes).