TOKORANGI RISES ABOVE THEM

Tokorangi (2 f Redwood – Agent Ziva, by Savabeel) galloped into Karaka Million contention when blitzing her rivals by six and a half lengths in the Kit Brooks Bloodstock and Stable Books $10,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 7 January at Matamata.

Having debuted with a very good effort for second in the $30,000 2YO 1200 metres on Waikato Cup Day (Dec. 14) at Te Rapa, Tokorangi advanced her earnings to $12,250 and further up the Order of Entry for the $1m Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m) on 25 January at Ellerslie.

In the Conditional Order of Entry, taking into consideration doubtful starters, Tokorangi slotted in 12th, ahead of stable-mate Dragon Queen (Sweynesse), while the makeup of the final field (14) is set to alter over the next three weeks.

Ridden by Cameron Lammas, Tokorangi began well from barrier one to lead and proved a different class as she dashed away inside the 300m to win untouched.

On Dead4 footing, Tokorangi ran the 1100 metres in 1:05.1, last 600m in 34.6, and as favourite she returned $2.30 & $1.10.

“I didn’t think she’d kick away like that and then she just kept kicking,” said co-trainer Pam Gerard, who with Mike Moroney trained third and fourth, respectively, Bocce (Foxwedge) and She’s A Thief (Showcasing) in the 2018 Karaka Million.

“We’ll wait and see what unfolds over the next few weeks as to whether or not she makes the (KM) field. She is very professional and you can’t really deny the owners a chance to race for a million dollars.”

Selected by Paul Moroney and bought as a yearling for $30,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Bradbury Park. By Group One winning stallion Redwood (High Chaparral), she is the second foal from Agent Ziva, a young mare by five-time Champion sire Savabeel (Zabeel), who won five races from 1150m – 1230m, and grand-dam Bemuze (Centro) left four individual winners of 16 races including Regency Dragon (D’Cash) a winner of six in Hong Kong.

Tokorangi is owned by Savvy Racing Steelers Syndicate (Mgr: Keith McDonald), Dennis Ryan, Glenice Dando (who bred the horse with her son, Casey), Maureen Allison, Paul Magill, Georgina Workman & Ballymore Stables NZ.

“It’s great to see some first time owners here,” Gerard said. “Some have travelled from Dannevirke, and it’s great we’ve got them a fast horse.

“We picked this horse out at the sales. We saw her come off the float and she was so professional from the first time she paraded. Mike and Paul were quite taken with her, too.”

“She has a lot of Savabeel about her and looks like she’ll make into a lovely three-year-old,” said Mike Moroney.

“She’s a really nice filly, with a great head, very correct, and we thought she was very good value at the price.

“We certainly remember her third dam, Mezmerize, racing. Kevin Scott trained her and she was a very good race mare that raced in Australia. It’s a family we know a bit about and a very good family.”

Tokorangi was strapped by Richie Fallon.