![](http://amarinafarm.com.au/site/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Amarina_Performers_440x330_Karacatis.jpg)
06 May Fourth time a charm for Karacatis
Hardy sprinter Karacatis (Hussonet x One In A Million) landed the Gr.3 DC McKay Stakes (1100m) at his fourth attempt with a brave front-running effort at Morphettville on Saturday.
The Richard Jolly-trained galloper has been competitive in Adelaide’s best sprints for the past few seasons in a career that includes second placings in the 2013 and 2014 DC McKay Stakes while the son of Hussonet ran fourth in the 2015 edition of the event.
Karacatis, who was purchased from the 2010 Magic Millions draft of Amarina Farm for $12,000, finished a head from Karlovasi and Viddora in his last outing in the Listed Manihi Stakes (1100m) but held off all challengers under experienced Victorian jockey Noel Callow’s riding.
Callow sent Karacatis to the lead from the outside gate early in the $175,000 contest but the gelding had Counter Pulse on his outside to the home turn.
Counter Pulse briefly headed Karacatis ($17) at the 200m before the winner regained the lead and doggedly held off the challengers in the last 100m to score by a nose from the Robert Smerdon-trained Reldas ($15).
Kaepernick ($10) made ground from the back of the field to get within a head of the winner.
Karacatis is likely to progress to the Gr.1 Goodwood in a fortnight.
The winner of 11 of his 50 starts has raced well in previous editions of the Goodwood, finishing fourth in 2013 and sixth in 2014. -racenet.com.au