New Zealand Bloodstock have revealed the current order of entry for the Karaka Million races to be held at Ellerslie on January 23.
Te Akau Racing hold a strong hand in the 2021 DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m), a race they have won four times in a row with Melody Belle, Avantage, Probabeel and Cool Aza Beel.
Horses purchased by David Ellis currently occupy three of the top four positions through the early weeks of two-year-old racing this season.
The top position belongs to Follow Your Dreams, trained by Kenny Rae and Krystal Williams-Tuhoro at Ruakaka. Bought for $24,000 from Valachi Downs’ Book 2 draft, the impressive colt has had two starts for two victories at Riccarton this month.
Te Akau Racing’s top ranked runners are currently Palamos who sits in second place, while two-time placegetter Avonallo and debut Avondale winner Sophisticardo are third and fourth respectively.
Meanwhile, 2020 Karaka Million 2YO winner Cool Aza Beel is currently the table-topper in the order of entry for the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m). He could attempt to follow in the footsteps of his stablemate Probabeel, who was the first horse in history to win both the Karaka Million 2YO and the Karaka Million 3YO Classic.
Melbourne Group Three winner Crosshaven and the undefeated Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) winner Aegon are also prominently positioned.