New Zealand Warriors supremo Cameron George doesn’t mince words when comparing his emotions after winning Saturday’s $1m Karaka Millions – for him, it’s right up there with lifting an NRL premiership trophy.

Sure, the Warriors are still chasing that elusive maiden title in their 31-year history, but George reckons the rush of winning New Zealand’s richest juvenile race with his part-owned filly Dream Roca would feel just as sweet.

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“I just love to win so winning footy games and winning races are right up there,” the Warriors chief executive said.

“You can’t control either once the jockey goes up on the horse or the boys go out on the field.

“I’d love to win an NRL competition as well so I’d put it on even par with that (the Karaka Millions). Winning both is about the same and it’s exciting.”

For George and Sunshine Coast trainer Liam Birchley, Saturday’s triumph at Ellerslie marked their third Karaka Millions success – a remarkable achievement in New Zealand’s premier two-year-old event.

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But this victory was made all the sweeter for the Warriors boss thanks to his deep connection to the Dougherty family, racing royalty in the NSW Northern Rivers district where George cut his teeth in the sport.

“I used to travel to the races with them and they took me under their wing and taught me a lot,” George said.

“Their father (former Casino bookmaker) Jim, who turns 90 in April, has a share in the horse and his sons are in it too.

“They’re just a great family so that was really special to me because of the relationship.”

Ben Thompson delivered what George described as “a peach of a ride”.

The Brisbane jockey timed his run to perfection, chasing down 100-1 roughie Magill in the straight to snatch victory.

“Ben Thompson has ridden her a treat in every start that Dream Roca’s had,” George said.

“Then to come over to New Zealand on a track he hadn’t ridden before, and it’s quite a tricky track, it’s important we tried to get him a few rides earlier in the day.

“It was a big opportunity for him to come to New Zealand for what we deem one of our biggest races.”

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Thompson’s emotional fist pump after crossing the line said it all.

“Nothing like that is ever pre-empted,” he told Racenet.

“Like any sportsman, emotion gets out and it’s just part of the celebration.

“I feel like I’ve been riding with a lot of confidence this season and it comes with the backing of great support.”

Birchley said Dream Roca would now be set for the Queensland Winter Carnival, with the JJ Atkins (1600m) in June firmly in his sights.

“Yeah hopefully, if she can handle the distance,” he said about the Group 1 for juveniles.

“She’s strong at the end of her races at the moment so that’s a good sign that she might.”

Thompson said he would “definitely” be interested in heading back across the ditch to compete at Ellerslie for New Zealand Oaks Day and the Champions meeting on March 7.

He has been booked for six rides at Eagle Farm on Wednesday in a meeting rescheduled from the Australia Day public holiday due to Monday’s extreme heat in Brisbane.

Originally published as Warriors boss Cameron George rates Karaka Millions glory equal to winning an NRL premiership