That’s Gold shoots for $350,000 prize in Karapiro Classic
Paul Vettise - Raceform • February 5th, 2026 3:01 PM • 4 min read
Strong age-group performances in this campaign have earned That’s Gold a crack at a major prize against older opposition at Te Rapa.
The genuine three-year-old will chase the thick end of the stake in Saturday’s $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic, and trainer Chris Wood can’t fault his preparation.
“He can really run time, he’s run some exceptional sectionals so that will stand to him well, he’s ready to go,” he said. “He’s very honest and tries hard. I think he’s a better chaser, so hopefully we can take a sit like he did in the Bonecrusher.”
That’s Gold placed twice during his two-year-old season, including a third behind subsequent Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes and Karaka Millions winner La Dorada, and returned to win his maiden at Te Aroha in the spring.
The son of Lucky Vega then admirably bridged the gap to stakes company when he accounted for stakes winner and top-flight placegetter To Cap It All in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes.
He has since finished fifth from the outside gate behind rising superstar Well Written in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas and was a last-start third at Ellerslie to the talented Chilling Out.
“I really, really like him, I think he’s a very good horse and he won the Bonecrusher so well,” Wood said. “Last time he got left in front turning in and got run down by a couple of handy horses.”
That’s Gold hasn’t missed a beat in the interim with two impressive hitouts.
“He went to Te Rapa last Friday and had a good exhibition gallop and he worked superbly again on Tuesday morning and Sam (Collett) sticks with him.”
Providing everything goes to plan at Te Rapa, the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby-nominated That’s Gold is likely to be tried over a middle-distance.
“If he goes a good race and happens to win, then we could possibly look at the slot race (NZB Kiwi) or the Avondale Guineas, probably the Guineas to be honest,” Wood said. “We’ll see if he gets over a journey, and if not, then I’ll realign my sights and see where we go.”
Wood will be relying on the younger members of his team in the more immediate future, with the stable’s top two rated performers You Say D’Orsay and Canheroc taking time out.
The former has won four races and placed twice this preparation while stakes-winning stayer Canheroc has raced below par since finishing third for the second consecutive year in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup.
“You Say D’Orsay has got a little issue, so he’s gone to the paddock for a while and Canheroc just hasn’t raced well since the New Zealand Cup, so we’ve decided to turn him out as well,” Wood said.
“He’s got into a bit of a habit of lugging in and that’s not him, there’s nothing obvious so we’ve put him in the paddock.”
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