Three Australian youngsters take on Te Akau might in Karaka Millions 2YO

The stage is set for a trans-Tasman showdown in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, with the barrier draw strengthening the claims of some of the biggest players.

A full field of 14 plus two emergencies has been assembled for the 19th edition of the Karaka Millions 2YO, including three Australian-trained raiders.

As has so often been the case throughout the last decade, the local contingent is headed by Te Akau Racing. The tangerine powerhouse has won eight of the last nine runnings of this juvenile showpiece, with all of those winners purchased by David Ellis.

Te Akau’s three-strong team for the 2026 edition of the race is headed by Kinnaird (Home Affairs). The classy colt held favouritism in the TAB’s Karaka Millions 2YO market leading into Wednesday’s draw, and he tightened further from $4.60 into $4.20 after landing gate two.

Kinnaird boasts a perfect two-from-two record including the Group Two Eclipse Stakes (1200m) over the Karaka Millions course and distance on New Year’s Day.

The biggest threats could come from across the Tasman. Torture (NZ), a stakes-winning daughter of Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State, will jump from gate five for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes. She is second favourite at $4.60.

Queensland’s Liam Birchley already has two Karaka Millions victories to his name with Sister Havana (NZ) (General Nediym) in 2010 and Hardline (NZ) in 2015. He is back again with two runners in 2026, including highly impressive last-start winner Dream Roca (NZ) (El Roca), who is rated a $5.50 chance after securing the coveted ace draw of gate one. Birchley’s other runner Vanzadee (NZ) (Vanbrugh) will jump from gate 12.