3 minute read

Michael Pitman likes the odds on offer in this Sunday’s Listed Karaka Million at Ellerslie.

The Riccarton horseman and his son and training partner Matthew will be represented by the in-form Ilikai in the chase for the biggest cash prize in New Zealand racing.

“She’s rock solid and a one in 14 chance – it’s a nice raffle to be in and the horse deserves her chance,” Pitman said.

Ilikai is the fifth top qualifier for the Million following consecutive wins at Reefton and at Gore last time out.

“Her time at Reefton was sensational and I’ve been going to the Coast for a long time and she’s the first two-year-old I’ve raced there,” Pitman said.

“It’s very hard to beat the older horses when you only get a kilo off the mares.

“She’s an improving sort and we’re not dreaming and know how tough it will be, but she’s qualified and it’s nice to show they can do it from the South Island.

“It’s also great for part-owner Bryan Black, the principal of Manco Engineering who sponsors the Easter Handicap, to have a runner in the race.”

Ilikai will be ridden in the Karaka Million by Lisa Allpress, who has enjoyed a long and successful association with the stable.

“The old team will be back together – we’ve all been friends for a long time and Lisa would have ridden over a 100 winners for us,” Pitman said.

Ilikai’s presence in the race is also another feather in the cap of Berkley Stud as the third runner, following Dreamcoat (2012) and Gateway (2013), for resident sire Coats Choice. All three were sold by the Canterbury operation of Edwina Morris and Alan Jones.

Coats Choice will be represented by three Select Sale and 12 Festival Sale yearlings during NZB’s National Sales Series, which commences at Karaka next week.