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Throughout the 12 months between Karaka 2023 and this month’s Karaka 2024 yearling sales, there has been a long line of graduate Group One success across major carnivals in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and New Zealand.

Last year’s Doncaster winner is poised to go back-to-back.

“I think he has the makings of something special.”

After gallant placings in two of New Zealand’s elite three-year-old races, quality Karaka graduate Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) broke through for a well-deserved first stakes win in Saturday’s $140,000 Group Two AJC Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Pukekohe.