3 minute read

Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall-trained Group 1 winning son of O’Reilly returns to form at Ellerslie.

Group 1 winner Tiptronic (O'Reilly) returned to form on Saturday when taking out the Karaka Cup (2200m) at Ellerslie. 

The seven-year-old had not won in seven starts since he took out the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) at Te Rapa last February and on Saturday he was sent straight to the front and was never threatened. He defeated In A Twinkling (Fastnet Rock) by two lengths with Sir Nate (Nadeem) a further three quarters of a length back in third. 

"This is a big thrill," said Richardson. "He's won seven races now, and he's an amazing horse – he just tries so hard.

"The instructions were to go forward, and he won impressively. I'm very happy for the owners, and it's great to see many of them here on course for this tonight.

"He's just such a special horse who never lets us down. It means a lot to win a race like this on Karaka Million night, and now hopefully it'll set us up nicely for another shot at the Herbie Dyke at Te Rapa (on February 13)."

Bred by Waikato Stud, Tiptronic was bought by Richardson Racing for NZ$100,000 athe 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale from the draft of his breeder. He is one of four winners from as many foals to race out of winning Pins (Snippets) mare Tiptoes who is herself a sister to dual Group 1 winner Legs. Further back this is the family of Newhaven Park sire Xtravagant (Pentire) and his Group 3 winning and Group 1 placed brother He's Remarkable. 

Saturday's victory took Tiptronic's record to seven wins and ten placings in 38 starts with his career prize money now totalling NZ$570,200.