Off the back of a challenging year for Seven Twenty, the smart filly returns to Ellerslie on Saturday evening for the 1600m Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic.
Shaun Clotworthy, the original trainer in New Zealand, suggested the move back with the Karaka Millions in mind when the filly was struggling to show the form that originally made her an exciting racing and breeding prospect. After a solid first-up run over 1200m at Ellerslie two weeks ago, Shaun has told owners that the filly has improved and, from barrier 2, is capable of a cheeky effort.
A lovely Australian debut from our former Kiwi Seven Twenty this afternoon @goulburnraces for @mcsmithracing and team. She has a touch of class and it is great to get her maiden out of the way.
— OTI Racing (@OTIRacing) August 14, 2021
Congratulations to partners on both sides of the ditch in 🇦🇺 and 🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/vvuXOm6MHv
The 2 and 3 year old Karaka Million races are now well entrenched on the New Zealand Racing calendar. Usually held to coincide with the Karaka Yearling Sales, the sale has been moved to early March in the hope that Australians can overcome Covid restrictions and be able to attend. That unfortunately is looking increasingly unlikely.
The performance of Seven Twenty late on Saturday afternoon will help decide the filly’s future. A top run will no doubt see her cross ‘The Ditch’ again for the feature 3yo races in the autumn. Her owners live in the hope to see that happen.
