28 Dec 2008
A good trials performance by One Cool Cat 2yo Winter King in Sydney on Friday will see him book his plane ticket to New Zealand to contest the $1 million Karaka Million at Ellerslie on January 25.
Sydney trainer David Payne confirmed that Friday's trial holds the key to the Wellfield Lodge sales graduate crossing the Tasman later in the month.
"If he trials well and shows that he is fit enough at this stage then he will go to New Zealand," said Payne.
Winter King (ex Something Special) was purchased from the Wellfield Lodge draft at this year's Karaka sales for $175,000.
He is currently the third top qualifier for the Karaka Million with stakes earnings to date of A$25,650.
The other factor Payne is waiting on before confirming his travel arrangements to Auckland is a decision by New Zealand authorities to remove the current quarantine restrictions between Australia and New Zealand post Australia's equine influenza epidemic. An announcement that will see all restrictions removed is expected early in the New Year, allowing Australian-based horses to contest the Karaka Million for the very first time.