3 minute read
Siracusa lands Karaka Classic
Siracusa (4 f ex Corinthia by O'Reilly) brought up a hat-trick of wins when she stormed home out wide to take out the Haunui Farm Karaka Classic (Listed, 1600m) at Pukekohe and in the process handed late Widden Stud-based sire Sebring (More Than Ready) with his 63rd stakes winner and also provided his Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit) half-brother a valuable update ahead of him going through the ring at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale later this month.
The Sir Peter Vela-bred and owned mare only made the final field for the race after scratchings on race morning saw her sneak into the final field from off the ballot for the day’s feature event and she prevailed in a close finish to beat Demonetization (All Too Hard) by a nose and they pulled a two and a half lengths ahead of Le Castile (Dalghar) who finished third.
Co-trainer Julia Ritchie, who prepares the mare with partner Steven Ramsay, had been on tenterhooks on Saturday waiting to see if they had made the final field for the race and then whether they could find a lightweight rider for the mare.
“We knew there weren’t going to be many riders around if we did make the field, so I was really worried for a while,” Ritchie said.
“The other thing is that she really likes some cut in the ground and when they posted a Good3, it was also a concern.
“When we got the big shower during the day it was perfect for us although I was still a little worried that they might call the race off if they were slipping.
“We told Ashvin that he should ride her where she was happy and give her plenty of room as she likes her space.
“When she was so far back, I was thinking this is a huge, huge task for her but she still managed to get up when it mattered.”
The four-year-old is out of unraced O’Reilly (Last Tycoon) mare Corinthia, who is herself a half-sister to 2006 Rosehill Guineas (Gr 1, 2000m) winner De Beers (Quest For Fame).
Siracusa’s third dam is dual Group 1 winner Tristalove (Sir Tristram), who in turn produced Group 1 winner Viking Ruler (Danehill), Group 2 scorers Lovetrista (Rock Of Gibraltar) and Kempinsky (Danehill) and Listed winner Diamond Like (Danehill).
Diamond Like herself produced Group 2 winner Forever Love (High Chaparral) and Group 3 winner Zephyron (Zabeel).
Corinthia’s gelding by Charm Spirit will be offered by Kilgravin Lodge as Lot 173 at the New Zealand Ready to Run Sale, which begins its two-day run on November 18, while last season the mare the produced a filly by the Windsor Park shuttle stallion.
