The Auckland Racing Club (ARC) in conjunction with New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) is pleased to announce the six races that will be run on the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting on Saturday, 27 January 2018.
* Karaka Million – two-year-olds, 1200 metres, $1,000,000 (RL)
* Karaka Million 3YO Classic – three-year-olds, 1600 metres, $1,000,000 (RL)
* Westbury Classic – fillies and mares, 1400 metres, $100,000 (Group Two)
* City Of Auckland Cup – open handicap, 2400 metres, $200,000 (Group Three)
* Concorde Handicap – open handicap, 1200 metres, $70,000 (Group Three)
* Mr Tiz Trophy – three-year-olds, 1200 metres, $70,000 (Group Three)
“The ARC and NZB are thrilled with the programme for the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting, which includes two $1 million races plus four Group Races," said Craig Baker, the Auckland Racing Club's executive general manager of racing and operations.
"The night will be a great prelude to the 92nd National Yearling Sales Series, which commences on Sunday, 28 January 2018."
Consequential changes that have occurred as a result of the above are:
* Mufhasa Stakes – three-year-olds, 1300 metres, $50,000 (Listed), moves from Saturday, 9 December to Saturday, 3 March (Vodafone New Zealand Derby Day) to replace the Mr Tiz Trophy.
* Bonecrusher Stakes – three-year-olds, 1400 metres, $70,000 (Group Three), moves from Saturday, 30 September to Saturday 9 December to replace the Mufhasa Stakes.
* Avondale Cup – open handicap, 2400 metres, $100,000 (Group Two), moves from Saturday, 17 February to New Year’s Day to replace the City Of Auckland Cup.
* Nathans Memorial, a non-black type staying race run on Vodafone New Zealand Derby Day, will move to Saturday, 17 February and act as a lead-up race to the Gr. 1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup on Saturday, 10 March.
* An open handicap staying race will be run on Vodafone New Zealand Derby Day to replace the Nathans Memorial.
* The Karaka Stayers' Cup (2200 metres, $100,000), historically run on the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting, will be run on Sunday, 14 January.
For more information, please contact Craig Baker – Executive General Manager –
Racing and Operations at craigb@ellerslie.co.nz or 09 522 3818.
