The 2010 Group 1 Caulfield Cup was another crowning triumph for the New Zealand breed.

Spearheading what was a NZ-bred trifecta, Descarado (High Chaparral) won by more than a length over Harris Tweed (Monjeu) and Monaco Consul (High Chaparral) in the $2.50 million event.

Descarado repaid Gai Waterhouse’s faith in New Zealand stayers when he gave racing’s first lady a Caulfield Cup first on Saturday.  “It’s a dream.  It’s no use kidding yourself,” Gai beamed.  “Last year I sat at the Caulfield Cup and I thought bugger this, I’m going have a few stayers.”

Rising to the challenge, husband Robbie flew to New Zealand and bought four horses in conjunction with the bloodstock agent Phil Cataldo.  Of these four, two have rewarded her at the highest possible level – Descarado in the G1 Caulfield Cup and Herculian Prince (Yamanin Vital) in the G1 Metropolitan Hcp.

Descarado was promoted to the third line of betting for the Melbourne Cup and his owners, which include former VRC committeeman Andrew Ramsden,  could be in store for more thrills at Flemington.

Bred by Auckland breeder Wayne McQuoid, Descarado has now won four races and $1.95 million in earnings.  His most lucrative results before the Caulfiedl Cup were a G2 win in the STC Hill Stakes at Rosehill and a G1 second in the AJC Australian Derby.

Descarado was nominated for the 2008 NZ Bloodstock Karaka yearling sale but  was withdrawn due to a minor stifle injury.

He convalesced at Windsor Park Stud and was later placed into the care of trainer Kevin Myers who prepared him to two wins prior to his sale to Australia.

Sadly, Descarado’s Lord Ballina dam Karamea Lady – who has been responsible for 10 winners from 11 to race – died after foaling a Black Minnaloushe colt in 2007.

Besides the Caulfield Cup hero, she is also responsible for the G3 Grafton Cup winner Simigan (Honour Grades).

High Chaparral has now sired four Group 1 winners from his first crop conceived at Windsor Park – Descarado, So You Think, Shoot Out and Monaco Consul.