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A pair of Karaka bargains claimed valuable black type wins at Rotorua on October 19.
Placed at Group One level last season, the $NZ20,000 Karaka Select Sale purchase Dawn Patrol (Dawn Approach x Dazzling) took his career earnings past $200,000 with a brilliant performance to win the G3 Sweytnesse Stakes (1215m) for trainer Frank Ritchie.
The win was Dawn Patrol's fourth of his 10-start career. He has placed in another four, headed by last season's G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m).
Fellow Karaka graduates Princess Kereru (Pins) and Midnight Runner (Jimmy Choux) finished second and third in Saturday's weight-for-age feature.
Princess Kereru was passed in with a $40,000 reserve at Karaka and has earned $267,125 in stakes, while the $50,000 Festival Sale graduate Midnight Runner has earned $113,860.
Sweet Treat (Ekraar x Flinders)), bought for only $30,000 at the 2015 NZB Select Sale at Karaka, claimed a valuable black type win in Saturday's Listed Staphanos Classic (1950m).
With apprentice jockey Joshua Kam in the saddle, the six-year-old cut the corner and burst into contention at the top of the straight. She was challenged by Charlie Horse (Zacinto) through the last 250 metres, but held firm and prevailed by three-quarters of a length.
Sweet Treat has now had 39 starts for five wins, nine placings and $108,125 in stakes – more than three times her purchase price for the Rogerson stable.
"It was a good win," co-trainer Graeme Rogerson said. "She's won a good handicap now, so we'll have a look and we might go to the New Zealand Cup next."
The win made up a stakes double for breeders and part-owners Monovale Farm, who also bred Sweynesse Stakes winner Dawn Patrol.
