The $75,000 Group 3 2YO Classic at Taranaki saw a rematch between a number of Karaka Million rivals with Choice Bro leading home a New Zealand Bloodstock trifecta.
Choice Bro (Choisir x Ladidi) raced well in the Karaka Million at his last start, running fourth after showing good fight in the final stages of the race, and Saturday's Group 3 saw him turn the tables on the Karaka Million winner Ockham's Razor who was heavily backed in the two-year-old feature.
Trained by John Sargent, Choice Bro was ridden by jockey Matthew Cameron from barrier one and got a nice trail in transit before mounting his challenge on the rails in the straight.
Responding well to hard riding, the son of Choisir levelled up with the Anthony Freedman trained Karaka Million winner Ockham's Razor who was game on the outside, and the two battled it out to the line with Choice Bro drawing clear to win by a long neck.
Holding a nomination for the Group 1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes, Choice Bro is likely to step up to Group 1 level at his next start.
"He's a stallion prospect and he'll go to Auckland or we'll wait for Manawatu," said trainer John Sargent.
Choice Bro and two-year-old stablemate Deakes are raced by an Australian group of owners who Sargent met at last year's Karaka Million Twilight Meeting at Ellerslie. Perth-based syndicate organiser Kelda Jones was a guest of New Zealand Bloodstock at the 2011 Karaka Million when introduced to Sargent in its hospitality marquee.
"She told me 'I've got to have a runner in this race - this is a fantastic atmosphere'," said Sargent.
"So we went to the Sales that week with Gary Mudgway and Brad Spicer and picked out Choice Bro and Deakes for them."
Bred by Richard Pietrykowski, Choice Bro was purchased by Gary Mudgway and John Sargent from Ainsley Downs Stud for $50,000 at the 2011 Karaka Select Sale. The colt's record now stands at four starts for two wins, one placing and over $90,000 in stakes.
Running third in the race was the Moira Murdoch & Dominic Olson trained Seleno (Thorn Park x Marasie) who sealed the Group 2 trifecta for Karaka graduates after coming from the back of the field and flying home late. Seleno was offered by Rich Hill Stud at the 2011 Karaka Select Sale.
