Written by Paul Vettise
Cover image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
A son of Astern, Lot 98, from Ohukia Lodge’s draft earned time honours during the opening session of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale breeze-ups at Te Rapa on Monday.
The colt was in action in Heat 38 and clocked 10.45s for his closing 200 metres on a Dead 6 surface while his galloping partner was Lot 72, by Tivaci and also in the Ohukia consignment, ran 10.58s.
The Astern juvenile is out of the Alamosa (NZ) mare Dragon Robe (NZ) and she is a half-sister to the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner Hasahalo (NZ) (Savabeel) and the Group 3-winning siblings All Saints’ Eve (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) and All Hallows’ Eve (NZ).
Riversley Park representatives contested Heat 17, with Lot 139 a Per Incanto (USA) gelding out of Great Expectations (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) gelding clocking 10.48s and Lot 171, a Super One colt out of La Femme Fatale (Fastnet Rock) ran 10.52s.
Lot 139 (Per Incanto x Great Expectations) (left) and Lot 171 (Super One x La Femme Fatale) (right) | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
Lot 103, the Capitalist colt out of imported mare Emirates Comfort (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) from Kilgravin Lodge’s draft breezed home in 10.55s. He is a grandson of the G1 Beverley D S. winner Royal Highness (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}).
The breeze-ups were conducted under strict Alert Level 3 conditions with limited authorised industry personnel allowed on course.
Chris Rutten | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
Among those in attendance was bloodstock agent Chris Rutten, who was impressed with the young talent on display.
“There are some really nice horses here by some excellent stallions,” he said. “There are some real standouts. Just looking at the balance and the way they move, they are well presented.
“There are some really nice horses here by some excellent stallions.” – Chris Rutten
“They were calm and handled the situation well, it gives you an idea of what the horse is going to be like. It is an entrée here to see how they will go. I am happy with what I have seen so far, I think there will be plenty of interest.”
New Zealand Bloodstock’s International Bloodstock Sales Manager John Cameron was also taken by the quality on show on the first day of the breeze-ups.
“It’s great to see the 2-year-olds in action. You can watch them gallop and see how well they are prepared. I’ve got to say, the horses have breezed up beautifully,” he said.
John Cameron | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“They have run straight and true, their action has been great and they have breezed up very consistently, which is the overall picture you want to get.
“It’s not necessarily the fastest time on the day, it’s more about the manner in which they do their work, their action and how they perform.”
New Zealand Bloodstock is again offering extended breeze-up clips, including additional footage near the 600-metre mark, with the last 200-metres of the work individually timed.
Breeze-up clips and parade footage will be available for viewing on New Zealand Bloodstock’s website by Friday, October 15 and will be streamed on Trackside in New Zealand, plus Sky Racing and Racing.com in Australia.
