Karaka Million not option for impressive 2yo winner Stella Noire
The daughter of Showcasing showed her raw talent at Ellerslie on Boxing Day with a perfect debut performance to defeat the experienced pair of Nirvana In Fire and Beastmode in the Auckland Co-Op Taxis 2YO (1100m).
“She’s not Karaka Million eligible so we’ll probably get her home and give her some time to recover and then look toward the Sires’ Produce races,” trainer Tony Pike said.
An impressive trial winner earlier this month, Stella Noire jumped well from the inside gate to trail and she finished well once rider Leith Innes angled her into the clear.
“It’s a big effort to come to Ellerslie off one barrier trial and win,” Pike said. “We’ve always held her in high regard, she’s a very promising filly.
“She probably got to the front early enough and her ears were pricked, she was having a good look around.”
A half-sister to the multiple winner and Group performer Woodsman, Stella Noire had a short neck to spare at the post on the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-prepared Nirvana In Fire, who sat outside the leader and kicked strongly in the straight.
He was a winner first time out at Pukekohe earlier this month and this placing will book his spot in the Listed Karaka Million (1200m) on January 27.
The Andrew Campbell-trained Beastmode will still have work to do gain entry following his late finish for a close third. He was tardily away and came from last on the turn