15 Jan 2017
Cambridge youngster Padraig has emerged as a serious Karaka Million contender.
The Sir Patrick and Justine, Lady Hogan-bred Power two-year-old was successful at Trentham on Saturday to book a start in the country's richest juvenile event at Ellerslie on January 29.
Prepared by Cambridge's Brendon Hawtin, Padraig settled off the pace in the Wellington Provedoring Premier but unwound strongly to win going away under jockey Matt Cameron.
"The horse is just going from strength to strength and it was a 10 out of 10 ride from Matt," Hawtin said.
"When he pushed the button he had plenty of horse and there's more improvement in him. He went really well first time out as well, he got a fair way back and made up a lot of ground. He's ticking all the boxes."
Despite racing greenly at Trentham, Padraig still had a length and a half to spare on the filly Dreams Of Platinum.
"He's a beautiful, big horse ? he's not a natural two-year-old and he still got the job done nicely," Cameron said. "I won't be getting off this one." ? NZ Racing Desk