The Jamie Richards-trained Challa made it two starts for two wins this preparation when he delivered a strong front-running performance to take out the Mardigras Events 1200 at Hastings on Saturday.
Apprentice Joe Kamaruddin took four-year-old gelding Challa straight to the lead and was untroubled in the running to score a comfortable victory.
“Full marks to Joe, he did a great job and it’s really satisfying to see a young member of the team who does so much hard work behind the scenes being rewarded," Richards said.
“He’s a horse that David (Ellis) bought. He ran in the Karaka Million, didn’t have the greatest of three-year-old seasons but he’s a bit stronger now and going well.
He’s taken the next step up which is never easy to do and he’s earned a good bit of stake money for the owners too."
Bred by Trelawney Stud, Challa was sold out of their 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock yearling draft for $100,000.
Challa from the first crop of Australian Horse of the Year Dissident and is the first foal of six-time winner Are There Any. His grand-dam Honest Politician (Distorted Humor) was also a very tough racehorse that won eight times (1600m – 2000m) in Australia.
