Warhorse (NZ) raced into the Karaka Million spotlight with a brilliant performance in the G3 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Sunday.

Warhorse (2c General Nediym – Rathlin Island by Giant’s Causeway) had to overcome a wide trip but quickened well on the wet ground to claim stablemate Irish Rebel (Danehill Dancer) for a two length victory.

The Jason Bridgman trained colt was racing for the third time.  He had been runner-up to Silk Pins on debut in October and followed up with a sixth to Travino in the LR Wentwood Grange Stakes at Te Rapa on December 10.

Bred by Hope Bloodstock, he is raced by Tang Weng Fei after being purchased for $100,000 from Trelawney Stud at the NZ Bloodstock 2011 Karaka Premier Sale.  The prominent Singapore owner was due for a change of luck after his Perth based G3 Champion Fillies winner Eight Till Late (Lonhro) died just before Christmas.

Cambridge Stud will offer a Zabeel half-sister to Warhorse at the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale at Lot 393.  Their dam Rathlin Island is an unraced half-sister to Melbourne G2 winner California Dane (Danehill).

The $1 million Karaka Million is New Zealand’s richest race and it will be held at Ellerslie on January 29 on the eve of the NZB Karaka Premier Sale.  

Warhorse now heads the Kiwi contingent on the Karaka Million Order of Entry with $44,000.  Australian based filly Sell In May (Starcraft) leads the overall standings after her Flemington victory last month.

The Order of Entry can be viewed here:  www.nzb.co.nz/info/karaka-million.cfm