Racing: Sale to HK rules out Karaka Million start

Avantage is on target for the Karaka Million. Photo / Race Images

One of the early favourites for next week's Karaka Million will miss the race after being sold to Hong Kong.

Classy gelding Espumoso went into quarantine yesterday morning for export to Hong Kong so won't be at Ellerslie for New Zealand's richest equal race on Saturday week.

The winner of two of his three starts, the son of Pins was a brave second in the Wakefield Stakes at Trentham last month but hasn't been seen in recent weeks as the sale deal was worked on.

"He was obviously still being worked up for the Million in case something went wrong and was flying," said co-trainer Andrew Forsman.

"Sure, we would love to have him going to the race but his owners got good money for him and the new owners are getting a very smart horse."

Espumoso briefly took over as favourite for the Million last week when Australian juvenile Long Leaf was pulled out but he had drifted this week after Avantage won at Ellerslie on Sunday to remain unbeaten and then champion jockey Opie Bosson was confirmed as her rider.

With Espumoso to miss the race, Te Akau will now have three of the four favourites for the race, the only challenger in single figures being She's A Thief.

Meanwhile, Forsman and senior training partner Murray Baker will be relying on the raw talent of a well-related filly to defend the stable's title in Saturday's group three Desert Gold Stakes. The Cambridge trainers won the Trentham feature 12 months ago with Nicoletta while their subsequent multiple group one winner Bonneval finished third.

"We had a strong hand last year and this year it will be up to Milseain, a full-sister to Werther," Forsman said.

"She won her first start at Hastings and while it was a maiden race she did it all well."

The daughter of Tavistock raced just off the pace and once rider Lynsey Satherley gave the filly her head they coasted clear.

"The race turned a bit ugly and wasn't run how we thought so for a green filly to overcome all that at her first start was very impressive and she's got the pedigree to match," Forsman said. Milseain, who will be ridden by Bosson, will also appreciate the step from 1400m up to a mile.

Meanwhile, Forsman said last year's winner Nicoletta has bounced back well after a heart fibrillation saw her tail the field home in the Anniversary (1600m) last Saturday.

- additional reporting, NZ Racing Desk