Karaka Graduates Spring into Action with Vigor

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Karaka Graduates Spring into Action with Vigor

On the first big day of spring racing, Karaka graduates produced some impressive performances in Melbourne and Sydney on Saturday to hint at an exciting season of racing to come.

Vigor (O'Reilly x Rationable by Housebuster) got the ball rolling at Flemington, taking out the Group 2 VRC Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) after engaging in an impressive fight to the wire with Group 1 Coolmore Classic winner Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom x Tracy's Element by last Tycoon).

Adding even more merit to the win, the Danny O'Brien-trained gelding raced wide throughout and clearly handled the step up to weight-for-age level.

So confident in the Waikato Stud-bred's talent, O'Brien went as far as to say the five-year-old possibly be the best horse he's trained. The astute trainer has masterfully mapped the gelding's program with five consecutive city wins last summer, then one autumn start for second in the Listed VRC Auckland RC Handicap (1610m). The Makybe was his second start back after placing third when resuming one month ago over 1200 metres. The win ensures he's now exempt from the ballot for this year's Group 1 BWM Caulfield Cup on 27 September to carry a mere 51kgs.

Just a $60,000 purchase at the 2006 Karaka Premier Sale from his breeders, his race record now sits at eight wins and four placings from 18 starts and prizemoney of almost A$600,000.

Vigor is a full brother to Listed ARC Champagne Stakes winner Joey Massino and half-brother to inaugural Karaka Million winner Vincent Mangano (No Excuse Needed), both trained by Peter McKay.

Fellow O'Brien runner, and pin-up for NZB's South Island Sale, Master O'Reilly (O'Reilly x Without Remourse by Bakharoff) resumed in the same race for an impressive third place. The 2007 Caulfield Cup winner was a $75,000 purchase from Paritai Stud. He is also aimed at the Caulfield Cup, set for the 27 October.

Karaka Festival Sale graduate and Group 1 NZ Derby winner C'est La Guerre (Shinko King x La Magnifique by Kampala) also had a good pipe opener with his first start back, running on well for fourth. Kiwi trainer Kevin Myers purchased him for $16,000 in 2006 from Timberlee Thoroughbreds. Now racing from Lloyd Williams' Macedon Lodge stables, he managed third in last year's Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup.

At Randwick Karaka Premier Sale graduate Rangirangdoo (Pentire x She Wishes by Kenfair) also gave his trainer Chris Waller confidence heading into spring's big races, winning the Group 3 AJC Tramway Handicap (1400m) in fine style. Bred by Wayne and Vicki Pike of Longlands Stud, he is now unplaced from 10 starts including six wins. His bigger aim is the Group 1 Epsom Handicap in a month's time.

Having just his second start, the highly touted So You Think (High Chaparral x Triassic by Tights) produced a nail-biter for Bart Cummings, flying home to finish the closest of seconds in the Listed Ming Dynasty Handicap (1400m). Originally announced as a dead-heat, the verdict was corrected to see another talented three-year-old in More Than Great the winner by a whisker.

Bred by Mike Moran and Piper Farm, So You Think was purchased by DGR Thoroughbreds for $110,000 from the 2008 Karaka Premier Sale draft of Windsor Park Stud. Depending on his recovery and development, Cummings suggested either Caulfield Guineas or Spring Champion Stakes for the lightly tried colt.
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