Cover image | Coolmore
Written by Paul Vettise
Highly-regarded filly Karaja (Zoffany {Ire}) won’t be given a taxing summer campaign with trainer Matthew Dunn to take a softer approach with a view to the 3-year-old’s future.
Having said that, the Murwillumbah horseman is keen to get a stakes credit this time around and Saturday’s Listed TAB Mode Plate at Doomben will provide the first opportunity.
Karaja hasn’t raced for four months, but she indicated she was in fine fettle to resume when she won a recent barrier trial over 1000 metres at Ballina.
“She’s in good shape and going really well. She’s improved since her last preparation and I think she’s right up to this level,” Dunn said.
“I don’t want to race her too many times and then she’ll come back for the late autumn and early winter. We’ll try and grab some black type now and then move on.”
“We’ll try and grab some black type now and then move on.” – Matthew Dunn
Karaja raced five times in her debut season and won races at Doomben and Ballina and placed in her three other appearances.
“Honestly, when you watch her races she could have won every start she’s had. She’s had bad luck and wide gates so she is a really good filly,” Dunn said.
“I don’t want to be pushing her too hard this prep. She’s been fragile, but she is a lot stronger now.”
Matthew Dunn
Karaja is a half-sister to the multiple winner Amelia Jane (Real Saga {USA}) with their dam Cascada a daughter of G2 Champagne S. winner Before Too Long (Belong To Me {USA}). She is a sister to the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. winner and sire Bon Hoffa.
There is a strong international element to the family with the G1 Aqueduct Ladies’ H. winner Spark Of Life (USA) (Key To The Mint {USA}), G1 Premio Roma winner and sire Fire Of Life (USA) (Nijinsky {Can}) and the G1 Cheveley Park S. winner Rosdhu Queen (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) on the pedigree page.
Patient approach
Meanwhile, Dunn will delay the Australian debut of the former top Singapore juvenile Lim’s Lightning (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who was an acceptor in Saturday’s G3 TAB George Moore S.
“He’s doing well, but I’ll wait with him for another week,” he said.
Lim’s Lightning won all four of his races, including the Listed Golden Horseshoe, as a 2-year-old for trainer Steven Burridge. He hasn’t been out since May when he finished third in the Listed Singapore Guineas.
Dunn said a call came out of the blue offering him the sprinter and he jumped at the opportunity.
Bred by trainer Lynne Tipper, Lim’s Lightning was a $50,000 purchase at the Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YO In Training Sale and was secured on behalf of owner Siah Mong Lim by former champion jockey Mick Dittman.
The gelding is a son of Wayne’s Gold (Golden Snake {USA}), who was successful on four occasions and finished third in the G2 Sunline S. The only other black type winner on the immediate pedigree page is the dam’s close relation Vipera Gold (Golden Snake {USA}), winner of the Listed Nudgee H.
Although he is ineligible for the Magic Millions races because he didn’t see a sale ring as a yearling, Dunn said there is a chance he will chase a wildcard entry if the gelding’s form was up to scratch.
