South African jockeys Craig Zackey and Warren Kennedy had a briliant day at Pukekohe Park in New Zealand on Saturday when each of them came away with a victory in two of the biggest races in the country.
Unbeaten juvenile Tokyo Tycoon has come from last to score a stunning victory in the Doubletree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) under an inspired Zackey ride.
The Mark Walker-trained son of Satono Aladdin continued Te Akau Racing’s strangehold on the million-dollar feature, with the powerhouse stable having now claimed the past seven runnings.
Not to be outdone, two-time SA chamion jockey Kennedy then won the Karaka Million 3YO Classic over 1600m aboard filly Prowess.
Not out of the money in six starts, the classy daughter of Proisir had run out a ready winner of the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Te Rapa on New Year’s Day and was able to repeat the dose in the million-dollar feature.
Ridden by Kennedy, Prowess enjoyed a good run throughout, with key rival and eventual runner-up Wild Night to her inside for much of the race.
Unbeaten juvenile Tokyo Tycoon has come from last to score a stunning victory in the Doubletree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) under an inspired Craig Zackey ride.
“I am still pinching myself,” Kennedy said. “Roger James and Robert Wellwood had the confidence in me to put me on this filly when she won at Te Rapa and I was pretty confident coming into today’s race.
“I knew there were some crack three-year-olds in the race but she did everything right and she showed that she is a filly to be reckoned with. Once she goes 2000m she will be even better so there are lots of things to look forward to with her.
“I just kept her flowing and kept her momentum going and she piled onto the line. She still had a good look at the winning post and about 50m out she started pricking her ears. It was a lovely win.
“For the South African boys to win both million-dollar races is just fantastic and for all the people that have had faith to bring us here and faith in us to put us on these horses, we are delivering and a big thank you to all of them.”
The win was another feather in the cap for jockey Craig Zackey, who has proved a tremendous addition to the New Zealand riding ranks since relocating from South Africa in November.
“It is unexplainable. I have only just moved here and I have won one of the biggest races. It is overwhelming,” Zackey said.
“Mark left it up to me and I thought I’d leave it up to the horse.
“After falling out of the gates like that, losing ground, getting back on his feet, finding a rhythm again and then to go and hunt down eight or nine lengths in the straight — that is what a good horse is made of.
“I couldn’t have dreamt for this to happen. I think it will probably take a day or two to really hit me but for the time being I am just really glad for Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson (Assistant Trainer).
“You can’t see the work that is put in. They have got a massive operation and I am just glad that they have given me the support and pleased that I have been able to improvise and do the best that I can.
“All credit to Tokyo Tycoon. He’s a superstar and this is for my family back home.” - horsebetting.com.au