Matamata trainer John Sargent is preparing a big team for the $1 million Karaka Million on January 29.

Sargent currently tops the trainers’ premiership with 51 wins and he could have as many as five horses in New Zealand’s richest race.

His team is headed by General Nediym filly Marechal who is owned by former All Black Mark Carter.  A $70,000 graduate of the 2011 Karaka Premier Sale, she won at Otaki in November and then ran a luckless fourth in the G3 Eclipse Stakes.

Stablemate Taoist Master (Any Suggestion) was dominant on debut at Trentham in December.  Purchased by Sargent at the Karaka Select Sale for $62,500, Taoist Master is co-owned by Shanghai businessman Li Tong.

Li Tong is the co-owner of another Sargent trained runner in Magic Shaft (Shaft).  He was a $60,000 buy at the Karaka Select Sale and was a good third on debut in the G3 Eclipse Stakes.

Completing the line-up for Sargent’s Karaka Million attack are Choice Bro (Choisir) and Deakes (Shaft).

Choice Bro was second on debut at Awapuni and then claimed the Countdown to the Karaka Million at Ellerslie.  He was a $50,000 Karaka Select Sale when purchased by Sargent and bloodstock agent Gary Mudgway.

Mudgway also bought Deakes for $60,000 at the Karaka Select Sale.  He was runner-up on debut before winning by next to three lengths at Wingatui.

Choice Bro and Deakes are both raced by an Australian syndicate led by Perth-based Kelda Jones.  “We met at the hospitality marquee during last year’s Karaka Million meeting,” Sargent recalled.  “Kelda told me it was a fantastic atmosphere and that she had to have a runner in the race.

“We only bought Choice Bro and Deakes and it looks like they will qualify among the 14 runners in this year’s Karaka Million.  I can’t really split any of them at this stage.  You’ve just got to try and get them there in a happy frame of mind, and then it’s all down to luck.”

Sargent has gone very close to winning the $1 million prize since its first running four years ago with Il Quello Veloce (Captain Rio) in 2008 and Banchee (Oratorio) in 2010.  Both went on to win Group 1 events and both were crowned Champion 2YO of their respective years in New Zealand.

There are seven two-year-old events remaining in New Zealand before Karaka Million nominations close on January 24 including the G2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes which carries a stake of $85,000.

New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales Series will be held at the Karaka sales complex from January 30 to February 5.  For news and information about the Sales Series contact reception@nzb.co.nz or visit www.nzb.co.nz