Gloomy conditions could not stop the Stephen Marsh-trained Velocious (Written Tycoon) storming to success in the NZ$1 million R. Listed Karaka Millions 2YO.
It was a fairly painless watch for connections and backers of the daughter of Written Tycoon, as the visiting James McDonald, found plenty of room on the spacious Ellerslie course and set the filly alight.
Chasing hard was the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel), partnered by Blake Shinn, while Full Force (Cosmic Force) from the Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard stable finished third.
Holding fourth was the gusty Bellatrix Star (Star Witness), meanwhile, the Queensland-trained galloper Beau Dazzler (NZ) (Ardrossan) ran home to grab fifth from So Naive (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}) and Poetic Champion (NZ) (Super Seth).
McDonald has ridden 10 winners at Karaka Millions meetings through the years, but his first success in the Karaka Millions 2YO.
“The Karaka Millions 2YO has eluded me a bit, but I was on the right filly today (Saturday). Velocious was trained to the absolute minute, she gave me a beautiful ride and produced the goods, it was unreal,” McDonald told local media post-race.
“She didn’t ever feel like she was going to get beaten. Returning to New Zealand has been emotional for me. Everytime someone says you’re returning home, I get goosebumps, because Ellerslie was our headquarters growing up; it was my favourite track, it still is, there’s nothing like home.”
Velocious was bred by Gus and Biancna Wigely’s Inglewood Stud. They will consign Velocious’ half-sister by Dundeel (NZ) as Lot 295 at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka.
Inglewood Stud sold Velocious at the Karaka complex last year for NZ$190,000 to Albert Bosma and Patrick Vinaccia’s Go Racing. Velocious is from the Snitzel mare Parmalove, who foaled a filly by Per Incanto (USA).
The filly has proven to be an outstanding juvenile. Velocious broke her maiden at Te Rapa before heading to Pukekohe Park to secure the Listed Challenge S. by 1.5l. She was freshened up and then resumed in the G2 Eclipse S. at Pukekohe Park where Bellatrix Star and Move To Strike (I Am Invincible) got the better of her that day.
This article was written by Jesse Dart and Keely Mckitterick for TTR AusNZ.
