Te Amo on trial for Karaka Million at Farm

While rich prize money continues to lure Kiwis to Australian racing, trainer Peter Robl is hopeful he can do the opposite and take Te Amo across the Tasman for New Zealand’s richest race.

The filly is set to debut in Wednesday’s two-year-old maiden over 1100m at Warwick Farm, alongside six other first-starters.

Te Amo cost $NZ220,000 at the Karaka yearling sales and her dam Je T’aime is a half-sister to 2007 VRC Oaks winner Arapaho Miss.

Robl is aiming for her to visit her homeland for the Listed Karaka Million (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 29, a race worth $NZ1 million.

“She’s still going to have to show us that she warrants a trip over there but it’s up to her now basically,” Robl said.

Te Amo finished second in an 807m barrier trial at Warwick Farm on December 2, a short head behind the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Debonairly.

“It was a very pleasing trial and she’s improved from that,” Robl said.

Te Amo will meet Debonairly again in Wednesday’s race with Robl expecting a turnaround.

“I’d be confident we’d have Gai’s covered in the race but in saying that, they do have to contend with the day and put it all together,” Robl said.

“Everything we’ve asked her to do she’s done nicely.”

They will go up against Gerald Ryan-trained Dame Pattie who cost an eye-watering $1.8 million at the Easter yearling sale.

The Snitzel filly is out of four-time Group One winner Alinghi and is the $2.50 favourite to kick off her career with a win.

Trainer Michael Freedman continues to unveil his team of two-year-olds with Membership the latest of the stable’s juvenile set to make her debut.

Membership is on the second line of betting at $4.20 with the James Cummings-trained Whispered Secret a $5 chance.

Te Amo is at $8 behind Debonairly who is at $6 while the Bjorn Baker-trained Whitsunday, also nominated for Saturday’s $500,000 Inglis Nursery, is a $9 chance.

The Mike Moroney-trained Exit Lounge was a $24,000 yearling and rounds out the field as a $31 hope.

Robl also has three-year-old filly Sugarparma second-up in the Tab.com.au Handicap (1300m)

Sugarparma ran third in the Listed Dalrello Stakes at Toowoomba in April and the majority of her races have been in stakes company.

“She’s drawn more favourably in four so she’ll certainly race a lot closer than she did the other day,” Robl said.