Slick performances on day two of breeze-ups

Lot 44, the Deep Field colt from Riversley Park’s draft ran the fastest time on day two of NZB’s Ready to Run Sale breeze-ups with a time of 10.80 seconds for 200m. Photo: Angelique Bridson

Day two of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale breeze-ups had the final 139 two-year-olds complete their gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.

A total of 274 horses breezed up across the two days, with their sights now set on heading through the sale ring on 17 and 18 November at Karaka.

With nearly an inch of rain falling overnight, track conditions were rated a Heavy10. Strong westerly winds, although not ideal for the horses, helped dry out the track and it was upgraded to a Slow9 by midday.

New Zealand Bloodstock’s Bloodstock Sales Manager Danny Rolston commended the effort of all Ready to Run Sale consignors, preparers, jockeys and associated staff.

“Day two of the breeze-ups was carried out in an exceptional order,” Rolston said.

“Our consignors and their teams have put in an immense effort and they must be commended for breezing their two-year-olds to the highest standard.

“The level of presentation and breeze-ups improves year-on-year, which is a testament to the expert preparers we have here in New Zealand.

“After a downpour of rain overnight, coupled with strong winds today, we’d like to remind our buyers to take this into account when assessing the breeze-up clips.”

Ohukia Lodge’s Jamie Beatson was pleased with how his 2021 draft performed over the two days of breezing.

“We’re pretty happy with the draft overall, obviously the track is a bit slower than yesterday but overall they have performed well,” he said.

“We have some cracking horses in the draft this year who breezed up nicely.

“There aren’t many who you can’t talk about to be honest, they are all good types and were showing it out there on the track today.

“Not all horses like a heavy track and we thought the horses who breezed today were our sharpest lot.”

The quickest time of Day Two came in the first heat of the day, with Lot 44 breezing up in 10.80.

The colt by Deep Field out of Pins mare Bang On was prepared by Sam Beatson’s Riversley Park running in Heat 71.

Lot 218 (outside), the Sacred Falls colt, ran a time of 10.84, while lot 205, the Per Incanto colt, ran a time of 10.86. Photo: Angelique Bridson.

Ohukia Lodge’s Lot 218, a Sacred Falls colt out of Movie who is the half-brother to recent Group One winner Never Been Kissed breezed in a smart time of 10.84 running in Heat 84.

Also from Ohukia Lodge’s draft is Lot 205 who ran in Heat 84, a Per Incanto colt out of Miss Hoi Polloi, and Lot 184, a Darci Brahma colt out of Reset mare Lion Blanc in Heat 100 who both ran a slick time of 10.86.

Lot 175, a Savabeel colt out of O’Reilly mare Lego breezed home in a time of 10.92 while running in Heat 80 from Ohukia Lodge’s draft.

The full breeze-up clips and parade footage will be made available for viewing on nzb.co.nz by Friday 15 October, as well as streamed on Trackside in New Zealand, plus Sky Racing and Racing.com in Australia.