Unbeaten Iffraaj gelding Xiong Feng (NZ) led all of the way to impressively win New Zealand’s richest race, the Res. Listed $1m Karaka Million (1200m) at the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting last night.
Bounding out from the inside barrier for rider Danielle Johnson, the Singaporean owned galloper shared the lead with race-favourite Manolo Blahniq (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) turning for home, shaking off the favourite before digging deep to beat the challengers with Showmeyamoneyhoney (NZ) (Showcasing) finishing second by a neck and Kingsman (NZ) (Darci Brahma) a further head away in third.
Xiong Feng is unbeaten in three race day starts with three different female jockeys aboard. Johnson became the first female jockey to win the Karaka Million in its nine year history with yesterday’s victory.
Trained by Stephen McKee and Eddie Chippendale at Ardmore, the training pair had always held a high opinion of the son of Iffraaj.
“I can't believe we have won New Zealand's richest race. It's unbelievable. I was very confident on his debut here at Ellerslie.” commented Chippendale.” We thought he was a wet tracker but he’s shown he’s just as good on top of the ground.”
McKee has Sydney later on in the year on his mind but for the meantime the Group 1 Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie on March 12 is next for Xiong Feng.
After last night’s victory, Xiong Feng has now earned stakes of $579,685 for owners Tan Kim Chua Stanley, Tan Koon Eng, James Leong Cen Ming & Lim Keat Joo.
Xiong Feng was purchased by Zahn Mok for $30,000 at the 2015 Karaka Select Sale from Paul and Cushla Smithies’ Monovale Farm. A half-brother by Ocean Park to Xiong Feng is catalogued at Lot 94 from Monovale Farm in the Premier Sale, selling today.
Syndicate leader Tan Kim Chua Stanley races eight horses in Singapore with various trainers and has two two-year-olds in New Zealand, both with McKee and Chippendale.
Bred by Monovale Holdings Ltd, Xiong Feng is out of unraced mare Stray (Tale Of The Cat), a half-sister to Maldivian (Zabeel), winner of the Group 1 Cox Plate, Group 1 Orr Stakes and the Group 1 Yalumba Stakes. He is the half-brother to Group 2 Light Finger Stakes winner Adrift (Zabeel).
His sire Iffraaj has 36 progeny entered at the 2016 National Yearling Sales Series including five yearlings at the Premier Sale which commences today (25 January) from 11am.
Joining the $1m Karaka Million for two-year-olds in the Series is the new $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic over 1600m, with yearlings purchased at Karaka 2016 the first to compete for the new prize purse in 2018.
Nominations for the 2016 Karaka Million Series close on Tuesday 1 March at 5pm. Click here for more information on the Series.
