New Zealand’s glamour night of racing is back and bigger for 2025, with the TAB Karaka Millions taking centre-stage at Ellerslie Racecourse this Saturday, 25th of January.
Melody Belle, Avantage and Probabeel all put their name up in lights for the first time in the country’s million-dollar juvenile showdown, the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). The trio all came out of Te Akau Racing, who have won seven of the last eight editions, and are in with a big chance to take this year’s running with current favourite To Bravery Born.
Vespa was the last horse from the Central Districts to win the feature back in 2014, and Roydon Bergerson will be out to rectify that on Saturday with Too Sweet, the winner of the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) on New Year’s Day.
The $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) has been a sought-after prize since its inception in 2018, with the likes of Probabeel, Aegon, Prowess and Orchestral all collecting top honours. Aegon’s trainer Andrew Forsman is vying for the title again with Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) winner Yaldi, while Damask Rose will aim to go one better on her result in the two-year-old contest 12 months ago.
While the two crowning races will headline the night, the undercard is stacked with four stakes races, including the time-honoured Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m), taking place for the first time on Karaka Millions Night.
The Railway is tipped to be another sizzling match-race between star fillies Alabama Lass and Captured By Love, who will take on their older counterparts including Crocetti, Babylon Berlin and defending champion Waitak.
Fresh off the plane from a successful Australian stint, Belclare will be back to chase another title in the $500,000 Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m), with plenty of interest in the race including Chris Waller’s mare Konasana, and in-form mares Acquarello and Town Cryer.
The upset of the Millions took place in last year’s $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m), when Desert Lightning downed the odds-on favourite Legarto in a thrilling contest. The second edition of the lucrative four-year-old event will have plenty of firepower, with multiple Group One winner Orchestral and Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) winner Bourbon Empress.
Opening the evening will be the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m), which is set to be one of the most competitive contests, with Move To Strike, Poetic Champion and Archaic Smile taking on a flying up-and-comer, Hankee Alpha.
With top horses come top jockeys, and the Ellerslie crowd will have the privilege of watching some of the very best New Zealand and Australia has to offer, including visitors Blake Shinn and Craig Williams.
The beauty of Karaka Millions is the hospitality meets the quality of the horseflesh on course, with a number of options still available to purchase. The Grove and The Birdcage are sold out, but The Enclosure, brought to you in association with The Grand Tour, are up for grabs for $109pp, as well as GA for $50pp.
If you’re looking to watch from a higher view, check out The Closer, located on the second floor of the Ellerslie Stand. A package including a drink on arrival, a buffet meal designed by ATR Executive Chef Paul Barrett and an option to utilise the outdoor seating are on sale for $195pp.
No Fashion In The Fields? No worries. Karaka Millions have their own unique competition to celebrate your style, with the Tan In The City Style Spotter. The judges will be roaming around the course during the evening, on the lookout for the best-dressed ladies, who will be photographed and in to win a $500 prize pack from the sponsors.
It wouldn't be TAB Karaka Millions without one epic afterparty, and this year is no different! The Birdcage Bash, in association with The Grand Tour Racing Festival, will see crowd favourite band AMOK kicking things off, followed by DJ Arii Jade who'll keep the party going ‘til late.
This is a night you won’t want to miss, so get in quick before another sell-out TAB Karaka Millions.
What: TAB Karaka Millions
When: Saturday, 25 January. Gates open at 3pm
Where: Ellerslie Racecourse
Find out more: ellerslie.co.nz/karaka-millions