Racing: Levante set for big night at Karaka Million
3 Jan, 2021 09:00 AM
3 minutes to read
By: Michael Guerin
New Zealand's most exciting emerging race mare Levante will bypass the Telegraph at Trentham to add more glamour to Karaka Million night at Ellerslie. That sets up a potential clash with the country's most improved race mare in Showoroses.
The 4-year-olds provided some of the fireworks at Ellerslie's huge New Year's Day meeting, with Showoroses leading all the way in the $100,000 Rich Hill Mile, while Levante roared home from last for a stunning third in the Railway.
Co-trainer Ken Kelso confirmed Levante won't be heading south for the Telegraph.
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A wide draw and a step up in class couldn’t hold down underrated mare Showoroses as she led from go to whoa to take out the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie.
The Joanne Surgenor-trained four-year-old had employed similar tactics against her own sex when taking out the Group 2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa last month.
Friday’s contest pitted her against the best of the boys as well, with rider Vinnie Colgan once again seizing the initiative after Showoroses worked her way to the lead inside the opening 300m.
Colgan let his charge bowl along without a care in the world before applying the pressure from the 600m. Asked for a serious effort in the straight, Showoroses established a winning break before clinging gamely to her lead to score by a length from Demonetization with New Plymouth visitor Coventina Bay a nose back in third.