Slim Million chance at Ruakaka

Four Karaka Million eligible youngsters need to win Friday’s $7,000 2-year-old maiden over 1000m at Ruakaka to have any chance of making the cut for New Zealand’s richest 2-year-old race on January 29.

They are Popacap, Florence Jean, Louisiana and Super Hunter who will likely miss the cut even if they win due to lack of earnings.

Icebomb a Darci Brahma filly purchased privately by Te Akau principal David Ellis looked a major danger to their chances but she won’t take her place.

She was super impressive winning her sole trial at Te Aroha in mid-december.

Opie Bosson was booked to take the reins from the extreme outside gate in the 10-horse field, but the horror draw means she will be saved for another day by trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards.

Icebomb won her 800m trial in 47.10 while Florence Jean won the same day in 47.47 ridden by Bosson.

She is a promising Pins filly making her debut for Ryan Mark’s owner-trainer John Morell.

Morell will give her the chance at Ruakaka to see what she can do but isn’t fazed about chasing Karaka Million glory.

‘‘We’re not thinking about the Karaka Million at all,’’ Morell said. ‘‘We will give her a run and see how she goes.

‘‘I quite like her but she will probably be better next season but it would be nice if she did something as a 2-year-old.

‘‘We treated the trial as a learning curve and she won well although she ran the slowest time of the heats that day.’’

Alysha Collett will ride the filly from gate three.

Matamata trainers Lance O’sullivan and Andrew Scott also have high hopes for Miss Foxy Gal, who will debut in the race.

The likely favourite will be Dragon trained by Mark Forbes.