News

Karakatsanis shares the love

13th Jul 2012

Sydney Morning Herald - Thursday, 12 July 2012

HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME has delivered a long awaited Ramornie Handicap victory to the Karakatsanis family, leading from the barriers to take out the famous Grafton sprint.

Former trainer Tony Karakatsanis tried to win the 1200m listed race on more than one occasion but it was his son Con who finally broke the drought. Tony identified the three-year-old early on and retained his interest in the gelding as an owner.

''I only bought him for $5000 and couldn't get one buyer to go in him,'' Tony said. ''The family kept him and one of my close friends took a share in him.''

Magic Cassius had been the favourite since betting opened but a foot abscess forced its withdrawal on race morning and Howmuchdoyouloveme replaced it as the market leader.

Sent out at $2.80 with Brenton Avdulla on board, Howmuchdoyouloveme took control as the field jumped and maintained its advantage to hold off Prost ($6) by 3¾ lengths with River Lad ($3.70) another half length third.

''It's a big day,'' Con said. ''I'm absolutely rapt. I don't know how good he is yet. He has so much to learn. He was a little bit on the toe today but he didn't over-race. He is learning every start. This race is something special.''

Karakatsanis said he would look at the Melbourne calendar to find races for the gelding which has won four of his five starts.

His only defeat came in October, at his second start, when Avdulla was unable to ride.

''From day one I've loved this horse,'' the jockey said. ''He's a serious horse. Since I won on him at Randwick the focus has been very much on the Ramornie. He is only going to improve even more.''

The Listed Grafton Cup is the feature race today with the Ross Stitt-trained Southern Shimmer favourite.

Howmuchdoyouloveme (3g Written Tycoon-Betula Belle) was purchased by Tony Karakatsanis for $5,000 from the draft of Red Gums Stud at the 2010 Inglis Sydney Classic Yearling Sale.