2 - New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing

Message from the Chairman
NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK KARAKA MILLION
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TWILIGHT RACEDAY - SUNDAY 29 JANUARY
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Gate 6, main turnstile entry & taxi rank
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Finishing Post
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Infield
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Ticket Collection Booth
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Help Desk
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Winning Post Bar, ground floor, Ascot Stand
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St Johns Ambulance and Medical Assistance
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Ascot Stand
RaceDay Office
New Zealand Bloodstock ticket collection
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Million Owners marquee
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Pedestrian
underpass
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New Zealand Bloodstock Welcome Cocktail Party
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Pimm’s Garden Party & the Birdcage Bash
After Party - Cuvée, ground floor
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Pakuranga Hunt Room, 2 floor (public)
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Chairman’s Club, 2 floor
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Newmarket Room, ground floor (public)
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On behalf of the Board of the Auckland Racing
Club, I would like to extend a warm welcome to
all of our visitors – both international and
domestic - to Ellerslie this evening to witness
the fifth running of the $1,000,000 Listed Karaka
Million, the richest thoroughbred race in New
Zealand.
It is with great pleasure that we welcome the
team from New Zealand Bloodstock, their
international guests, and those from throughout
New Zealand who have all gathered in Auckland
for the 86th National Yearling Sales at Karaka
as well as the fantastic group of sponsors who have joined New Zealand
Bloodstock in support of tonight’s card.
Tomorrow will see the opening day of the National Yearling Sales at
Karaka and New Zealand Bloodstock must be congratulated on the
excellent catalogue they have put together for this year’s renewal. The
strength of the catalogue is one of the best we have seen in recent years
and will guarantee the future success of the New Zealand thoroughbred
in the years ahead and continue to see us compete successfully on the
world stage.
The Karaka Million racemeeting has become an international event in its
own right attracting two highly-regarded Australian competitors this year
in Sell in May and Ockham’s Razor who have returned to do battle with
twelve New Zealand-trained horses, while we have been blessed with the
appearance of some of the world’s very best jockeys to ride this evening
with the likes of Craig Williams, Damien Oliver, Corey Brown, Hugh
Bowman, Ben Melham, and former Kiwi jockey Michael Walker all taking
rides in this evening’s feature.
The second of our two features this evening is the third running of the
$100,000 Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Karaka 3YO Mile
for the sale graduates of the 2010 National Yearling Sale. The event has
attracted a quality field once again which includes last year’s Karaka
Million winner Fort Lincoln among the 16 runners.
Please join with me in applauding New Zealand Bloodstock and its
dedicated team who have worked so closely with the Club in executing
tonight’s event and we wish everyone involved in next week’s sale the
very best of luck; and if you wish to be the proud owner of a runner in
the 2013 Karaka Million - there is only one way you can get there - by
purchasing your horse at Karaka this week and signing it up for the
Karaka Million; the sale begins tomorrow at 10:00am.
Russell Warwick
Chairman of the Auckland Racing Club
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