We spoke to jockeys competing in the Karaka Million 3YO on New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Million Raceday to get their comments on how the race went
1st Long Leaf James McDonald
Thrilled to win to win for Sir Peter Vela and the high powered connections. I never doubted the horse but I was worried The Real Beel loomed at the 200m but he fought back well after all the hard racing in Australia.
2nd The Real Beel Samantha Collett
Huge run. Full credit to the filly. She's fought like a tiger.
3rd Madison County Matthew Cameron
Good run. Just a slow tempo down the back but he's stormed to the line. Good run.
4th Queen Of Diamonds Tommy Berry
She's six months away from being a really good horse. She's just been beaten from a couple that had a better turn of foot at the top of the straight but let down really well.
5th Surely Sacred Leith Innes
A good run. They went very slow and he was stuck on the inside with no where to go. Top run.
6th Prise De Fer Opie Bosson
He went a nice race. Probably six months away.
7th Media Sensation Michael Coleman
She ran great. She got trapped most of the way and found wanting the last bit.
8th Imelda Mary Cameron Lammas
Big run but a mile just a little sharp and the draw didn't help us.
9th Pinmendown Jake Bayliss
Got a good spot from barrier 14 unfortunately got on the back of the wrong horse then Madison County took us into the race. She sprinted well but peaked, probably want 2000 metres.
10th Sir Nate Jonathan Riddell
Got the trail. Traveled a bit keen on the slow speed. Disappointing.
11th Miss Labasa Johnathan Parkes
Pulled a bit in the trail and used some energy by doing so. Will learn a lot from the race.
12th Langkawi Shaun McKay
He jumped too good and led but he's a better chaser. If he drew a better gate he would have gone a better race
13th In A Twinkling Shafiq Rusof
He went alright but needs more ground. He got too far back but ran on well.
14th Swords Drawn Jason Waddell
Pretty much like all the jockeys, the race was run at a terrible speed. A nice New Zealand Derby horse
15th Super Gee Vinnie Colgan
He's a nice horse. Just ran out of room from the 600m. When they quickened, he didn't.
16thh Hypnos Michael McNab
He didn't feel right to me.
Last Red Dynamo Sam Spratt
He'll be better next year with some time and sting out of the ground.