Final NZB Ready to Run results
New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) has released the final results of its 2022 Ready to Run Sale held at Karaka last month, with a number of individual sales finalising post-sale for a readjusted clearance rate of 79 per cent from 76 per cent, an aggregate of NZ$25,870,500 (from NZ$25,186,000) and an average of NZ$126,946 (down slightly from NZ$129,159).
International buyers accounted for 85 per cent of the total turnover, or 160 2-year-olds for NZ$21,905,000, while seven of the top 10-selling lots are destined for Hong Kong. The Hong Kong presence accounted for 40 of the lots sold or 42 per cent of the total turnover.
Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“We are thrilled with what we accomplished over the two days and we must credit our vendors for preparing their stock to an outstanding quality yet again,” said Andrew Seabrook, NZB managing director. “A number of transactions have occurred since the sale finished, with horses moving on to both domestic and offshore buyers. As always, our agents have continued to work tirelessly post-sale, which has seen the clearance rate climb to just under 80 per cent.”
Richards lands a first Hong Kong double
Jamie Richards, who left the helm of Te Akau Racing earlier this year for a tenure in Hong Kong, recorded his first double in the Asian precinct on Wednesday night at Happy Valley.
It was a change of pace for the ex-pat Kiwi who had scored just one winner from his first 51 starters. His two winners on Wednesday night were Tronic Mighty (Headwater) and Rattan Kingdom (Per Incanto {USA}).
“I fully respect how difficult it is to win a race here in Hong Kong,” Richards told NZ Racing Desk. “We haven’t had a lot of runners yet and we lack a little bit of quality in the stable. I’m thrilled to get the double tonight.”
Kissinger for Pakenham Cup
Seven-year-old gelding Kissinger (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) will take his place in this Saturday’s Listed Pakenham Cup for trainer Lindsey Smith after a last-start win at Cranbourne in a BM84. Part-owner Brad Spicer told Racing.com this week that the gelding is post tie-back surgery and the 2000-metre Pakenham Cup attempt was on the advice of Champion jockey Damien Oliver.
“Ollie seems to have found the key to him,” Spicer said. “He can be a tricky animal and obviously you have to ride him accordingly. It’s a race we had in our mind for the last couple of months, and Lindsey is really keen then to go to the Bagot because he goes so well at Flemington.”
Kissinger will face an 11-horse field on Saturday that includes market fancies Good Idea (So You Think {NZ}) and Sound (Ger) (Lando {Ger}), as well as the fellow Kiwi-bred Milford (NZ) (Savabeel).
Dubai for The Inevitable?
Scott Brunton’s 7-year-old gelding The Inevitable, a winner on Wednesday night of the Listed Newmarket H. at Launceston, could have a date with Dubai if all goes to plan, according to his trainer. The Inevitable brought his stakes record on Wednesday to five after previous wins in the G3 VRC CS Hayes S. and Listed Tasmanian Guineas, among others.
“He is bonafide Group 1 horse every day of the week,” Brunton said. “A clean sweep (of the weight-for-age races in Tasmania), then we will go to Dubai next year. That sounds good to me.”
The Inevitable has now recorded 12 wins from his 25 lifetime starts, and his victories have occurred locally in Tasmania, but also at Flemington and Randwick. He’s had just two starts this season and won both.
New CEO for Port Macquarie Race Club
The board of Port Macquarie Race Club has announced the appointment of Nardi Beresford as its new CEO following the retirement recently of long-term leader Michael Bowman. Beresford assumes the position after years in an administrative role with the club, as well as a strong background in finance and racing administration.
“Nardi is a highly skilled and motivated individual who has strong racing and administrative knowledge,” said Greg Delaforce, the club’s president. “All in racing would like to thank Michael (Bowman) for his wonderful service in a period stretching well over 30 years.”
Cessnock trials abandoned after Denby fall
Cessnock’s morning of trials was abandoned on Thursday after just two heats, with rider Amelia Denby dislodged shortly after the winning post in Heat 3. She was conscious following the fall but transported to John Hunter Hospital with pain in her collarbone and arm.
The remainder of the morning’s trials have been relocated to Newcastle’s course proper on Friday morning, with fields unchanged and the first trial kicking off at 8.30am (local).
Dual attack on Pakenham Cup for Moroney
Trainer Michael Moroney will have a double hand in Saturday’s Listed Pakenham Cup with the 5-year-old gelding Milford (NZ), a son of Savabeel, and the 10-year-old horse Sound (Ger) (Lando {Ger}). Of the pair, Milford has had just two runs over the 2400-metre distance of the race when he was runner-up and unplaced in the G1 New Zealand Derby and G1 Australian Cup respectively.
“We thought we’d give it a try now while he is up and fit so we can figure out what to do with him in autumn, winter or next spring,” Moroney told RSN.
Milford (NZ) winning the G3 Eclipse S. | Image courtesy of Bruno Cannatelli
Sound, meanwhile, has continued to defy his age, according to his trainer, and the 10-year-old is just short of $2 million in earnings. He was a last-start fifth in the G2 Sandown Classic last month and is “like a 5-year-old stallion, prancing around and carrying on”, Moroney said.
Memsie Stakes winner to miss Millions
Dual Group 1-winning mare Snapdancer (Choisir) won’t get the chance to defend her $1 million Magic Millions Fillies and Mares (1300 metres) next month, with the stable revealing the 6-year-old still hasn’t come back into work.
Snapdancer, who has won the G1 Sangster S. and G1 Memsie S. in 2022, was due to contest The Everest in October but was ruled out due to a hoof injury.
“She’s on a break at the moment. She had a bit of wear and tear issues so we’ll see how she is after her spell,” co-trainer Ciaron Maher told Racing.com.
Prizemoney hike for Royal Ascot
Ascot Racecourse has announced it has increased prizemoney for the five-day Royal Meeting by 10 per cent to a record figure of £9.52 million (AU$16.9 million), up from £8.65 million (AU$15.3 million) in 2022.
All Group 1 races will be run for a minimum of £600,000 (AU$1.050 million) for the first time, while for the second-consecutive year none of the 35 races run will be worth less than £100,000 (A$175,000).
“It’s never been so important to focus on the top end of the British program with competition for the best horses so intense internationally,” Nick Smith, director of racing and public affairs at Ascot Racecourse, said in a statement.
“Against a backdrop of reduced central funding, an increase of more than £1.1 million (AU$2 million) or almost 14 per cent in executive contribution has been required to get to this figure.”
Queensland set for prizemoney boost
The Queensland thoroughbred industry will receive an additional $17 million in prizemoney from next year.
Racing Minister Grace Grace said the funding increase was made possible thanks to the upcoming Betting Tax changes.
“From today, 80 per cent of revenue generated by the betting tax will go straight back to the industry, up from 35 per cent, creating greater funding certainty for country racing in Queensland,” Grace said.
“The change in the funding model has allowed Racing Queensland to bolster prizemoney, and I’m pleased to announce there will be a $31 million increase in prize money across all codes next year.
“That’s an extra $17 million for thoroughbreds, $9 million for greyhounds and almost $5 million for harness racing.”
Saturday metropolitan thoroughbred racing will be boosted from $75,000 per race to $85,000, except for two races on the card which will remain at the original amount. Midweek metropolitan maidens will move from $37,000 to $40,000, while the remaining midweeks will go from $35,000 to $38,000.
