New Zealand Warriors supremo Cameron George doesn\u2019t mince words when comparing his emotions after winning Saturday\u2019s $1m Karaka Millions \u2013 for him, it\u2019s right up there with lifting an NRL premiership trophy.<\/p>\n
Sure, the Warriors are still chasing that elusive maiden title in their 31-year history, but George reckons the rush of winning New Zealand\u2019s richest juvenile race with his part-owned filly Dream Roca<\/a> would feel just as sweet.<\/p>\n \u2022 PUNT LIKE A PRO<\/a>: Become a Racenet iQ member<\/a> and get expert tips \u2013 with fully transparent return on investment statistics \u2013 from Racenet\u2019s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips<\/a> section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI just love to win so winning footy games and winning races are right up there,\u201d the Warriors chief executive said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t control either once the jockey goes up on the horse or the boys go out on the field.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d love to win an NRL competition as well so I\u2019d put it on even par with that (the Karaka Millions). Winning both is about the same and it\u2019s exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n For George and Sunshine Coast trainer Liam Birchley<\/a>, Saturday\u2019s triumph at Ellerslie marked their third Karaka Millions success \u2013 a remarkable achievement in New Zealand\u2019s premier two-year-old event.<\/p>\n \u2022 \u2018Absolute joke\u2019: Defiant Brisbane trainer to appeal fine over \u2018retard\u2019 slur<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI used to travel to the races with them and they took me under their wing and taught me a lot,\u201d George said.<\/p>\n \u201cTheir father (former Casino bookmaker) Jim, who turns 90 in April, has a share in the horse and his sons are in it too. <\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re just a great family so that was really special to me because of the relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben Thompson<\/a> delivered what George described as \u201ca peach of a ride\u201d. <\/p>\n The Brisbane jockey timed his run to perfection, chasing down 100-1 roughie Magill<\/a> in the straight to snatch victory.<\/p>\n \u201cBen Thompson has ridden her a treat in every start that Dream Roca\u2019s had,\u201d George said.<\/p>\n \u201cThen to come over to New Zealand on a track he hadn\u2019t ridden before, and it\u2019s quite a tricky track, it\u2019s important we tried to get him a few rides earlier in the day.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a big opportunity for him to come to New Zealand for what we deem one of our biggest races.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2022 \u2018I\u2019m very lucky\u2019: Dolan thinks of less fortunate jockeys after nasty fall<\/a><\/p>\n Thompson\u2019s emotional fist pump after crossing the line said it all.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing like that is ever pre-empted,\u201d he told Racenet. <\/p>\n \u201cLike any sportsman, emotion gets out and it\u2019s just part of the celebration.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like I\u2019ve been riding with a lot of confidence this season and it comes with the backing of great support.\u201d<\/p>\n Birchley said Dream Roca would now be set for the Queensland Winter Carnival, with the JJ Atkins<\/a> (1600m) in June firmly in his sights.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah hopefully, if she can handle the distance,\u201d he said about the Group 1<\/a> for juveniles.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s strong at the end of her races at the moment so that\u2019s a good sign that she might.\u201d<\/p>\n Thompson said he would \u201cdefinitely\u201d be interested in heading back across the ditch to compete at Ellerslie for New Zealand Oaks Day and the Champions meeting on March 7.<\/p>\n He has been booked for six rides at Eagle Farm<\/a> on Wednesday in a meeting rescheduled from the Australia Day public holiday due to Monday\u2019s extreme heat in Brisbane.<\/p>\n