Malua Racing’s Troy Corstens says impressive debut winner Sell In May is spot-on as she prepares for New Zealand’s richest race, the Karaka Million.
The John Sadler-trained filly along with Ockham’s Razor trained by Anthony Freedman, will fly the flag for Victoria in the two-year-old feature at Ellerslie on Sunday.
Both Sell In May, accompanied by assistant trainer Brent Stanley, and Ockham’s Razor arrived in New Zealand on Saturday.
Ben Melham will ride Sell In May and Craig Williams, who has been in all-conquering form, will partner Ockham’s Razor.
Corstens said Sell In May, who heads the order of entry for the race restricted to Karaka graduates, had coped well with the travel after working strongly clockwise before leaving Australia.
“She has settled in really well and she is spot-on,” Corstens said.
Sell In May and Ockham’s Razor will both have their first gallops at Ellerslie on Tuesday.
Corstens said he was confident Sell In May would run well.
“They are always interesting races,” Corstens said. “You don’t know what is going to be in them but on exposed form she will be quite competitive.”
A $NZ100,000 daughter of Starcraft, Sell In May has been a revelation for Malua Racing, an operation set up by Corstens in partnership with Sadler just over a year ago.
After trialling well she won her only start with a strong finish to beat Glimmer in the Spotless Plate (1000m) at Flemington on December 10.
Last week the stable put 20 per cent of the filly on the market and has already fielded interest from prospective buyers.
Ockham’s Razor, a son of Any Suggestion, was a $NZ170,000 yearling and at his only start was second to run away winner Sweet Little Lies in the Thomas North Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on January 7.
Apart from Williams and Melham, other Australian jockeys also looking to be part of the Karaka Million action are Sydney’s Corey Brown on Green Wings and Kerrin McEvoy on Mai Guru.
Danny Nikolic and Hugh Bowman are also hopeful of securing rides in the 14-horse race. The final field will be declared on Wednesday
Two years ago, the Liam Birchley-trained Sister Havana, ridden by the late Stathi Katsidis, claimed the Karaka Million for Australia.
AAP TURF
