Saturday proved a special day for Kiwi racing at the Sydney's Randwick racecourse.
Te Akau Racing trainer Jamie Richards won back-to-back Group One races with Probabell and Te Akau Shark, both ridden by Kiwi jockey Opie Bosson.
Two major Group One victories in the space of just 40 minutes was a dream come true for Richards.
"It's just so exciting for the New Zealand racing community to have a couple of good horses," Richards said.
Responding to whether or not it was his best day as a trainer, he said it "has to be".
"[It] couldn't have got much better than the Karaka Million double, but I just think it has," he added.
History-making back-to-back Karaka Million winner Probabeel kicked off a Sydney takeover, the Te Akau three-year-old swooping late to win the group one Surround Stakes.
"Thought we were in a spot of bother on the corner," Richards said.
"[I] got myself in a pocket, I'm just lucky this horse is good enough to get out of it," Bosson said.
Luck had nothing to do with the second Group One of the afternoon.
The Chipping Norton Stakes, won by the great Aussie mare Winx for the last four years running, was dominated by Te Akau Shark, who jumped from barrier 13 and stormed home to complete a sensational Kiwi double.
"Gee, he was good late - he's a very exciting horse," Richards said.
"It's amazing, it's hard enough to get a ride here, let alone two Group Ones!" Bosson added.
Not just a Kiwi double, but a Kiwi quinella as well, with Bosson beating home good mate and fellow Kiwi jockey James McDonald in both races.
"[I] wish these Kiwis would go home!" McDonald said. "Just beaten by two better horses on the day."
These two Kiwis are set to claim more Group One glory - and Aussie cash - as the Autumn Championships continue.
