Dancer’s Tale (NZ) looks assured of a coveted spot in the 2013 Karaka Million after an eye-catching win in the LR Welcome Stakes (1000m) on Saturday.

Dancer’s Tale (2f Tale of the Cat – Our Pineau by Carnegie) took an early lead in the Karaka Million Order of Entry after winning on debut at Wanganui in September.  She reclaimed top spot after looking in all sorts of trouble when boxed at the top of the straight at Riccarton.

Jockey Michael Coleman elected to take the rails run and it paid dividends as Dancer’s Tale burst clear just short of the post to win by a long neck over Quintette (Alamosa).  The runner-up is also nominated for the Karaka Million.

“I was in tight quarters and she was racing a bit greenly,” Coleman said.  “But she really put it together and it was a brave effort.”

Dancer’s Tale was bred and sold by Blandford Lodge for $65,000 at the 2012 Karaka Select Sale.  She is trained by Murray Baker for a Challenge Racehorse syndicate managed by Adrian Clark.  “I’ve been in the industry for 30 years and this is the thrill of a lifetime,” Clark said.  “I had given her away at the 200m but now we’re on our way to the Karaka Million.”

The $1 million Karaka Million (1200m) is a two-year-old incentive race for graduates of NZ Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales.  Held at Ellerslie on January 27, it is New Zealand’s richest race and carries Restricted Listed status.