Considering his stock weren't expected to be as potent at two as they will at three, Almanzor arrived on the Australasian racing scene properly, just in time for the next round of the sales.
Heavily backed into $2.50, Dynastic's win over Wolverine surprised nobody but what will really leave rival trainers shaking their heads is the Karaka Classic Mile, in which Richards and his bosses Te Akau showed they can now win on Karaka Million night even when they are losing.
Their big-name rep On The Bubbles was backed into $1.50 favouritism but was trapped three wide and peaked at the 200m, about when another Richards-trained runner in Pin Me Up surged clear for her second career win at start five.
She was a 23-1 outsider and her win didn't shock Richards, who tipped her publicly as his big upset chance for the night.
"She is a good staying filly in the making and while the other horse [On The Bubbles] had a tough trip, she was still very good.
"So for me personally to sign off from this phase of my career, not New Zealand yet but from the Karaka Million which has been such a special part of my career, is very special."
Pin Me Up's win was the biggest of young jockey Sam Weatherley's career as his rise up the riding ranks continues.
Weatherley won two major races on New Year's Day and caught the eye of Richards and Te Akau boss David Ellis, earning him two rides in the tangerine colours yesterday.
"To get two rides for them in $1 million races was a real buzz but this is amazing," said Weatherley.
"She travelled so well around the bend I was worried I hit the front too early. But really, for me, this has been a dream month."
Of less immediate value but almost as important was the return to form of Sword Of State, who carried 60.5kg to win the three-year-old sprint in his first run back from Australia.
It was a reminder of his sheer class and speed and it must be tempting now to take on the open sprinters domestically with a light weight or return to Australia later in the season looking for black-type there.
