Karaka graduates Maluckyday and So You Think were far from disgraced in the G1 Melbourne Cup at Flemington yesterday.  The NZ bred duo filled the placings behind French stayer Americain in the race that also stops that other nation across the Tasman.

Maluckyday (Zabeel) produced a brilliant run for second place in only his ninth race day appearance and has shown that he will be an excellent prospect for the staying races in Sydney next year and the 2011 Melbourne Cup.

Maluckyday has more than justified his purchase price of $625,000 when bought by Hawkes Racing from the 2008 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale.  He has now won connections over $1.17 million and there looks to be further spoils on the horizon.

A half-brother to Maluckyday by Darci Brahma has been nominated for the 2011 Karaka Yearling Sales Series which is shaping up as a very strong sale.

So You Think (High Chaparral) was gallant in third place.  He was stirred up in the early stages of the race and only really managed to settle around the halfway mark.  Clearly disappointed, jockey Steven Arnold was still proud of the champ.  “I thought he did a mighty job.  They just stop-started a little bit in the run which didn’t help us and he travelled a bit strong through the first half.  He tracked nicely into the race on the corner but the winner was too strong.”

So You think has now earned connections over $5.6 million in stakes from only 12 starts.  The Bart Cummings trained stallion was purchased for $110,000 at the 2008 Karaka Premier yearling sale.

The 2011 Karaka National Yearling Sale Series will be held at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka sale complex from January 31 to February 7. Catalogues will be available from November 26.