3 minute read

Day Two of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw the final 129 two-year-olds complete their gallop down the home straight of Te Rapa Racecourse.

The Soft 5 track and fine weather remained consistent throughout the second day, with the wind picking up slightly in the afternoon.

NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook commented on the performance of juveniles at the 2022 Breeze Ups.

"The standard of Breeze Ups seen at Te Rapa over the last two days was of an outstanding quality, which is a testament to the effort put in by our expert consignors and preparers."

"This would have to be one of the most consistent set of times I have seen in my 30 years of the Breeze Ups.

"We would also like to thank Waikato Racing Club for presenting its track to a high standard once again and for accommodating our dates over the last few weeks.

"We had a great attendance of buyers, trainers and agents and are looking forward to seeing the two-year-olds up at Karaka in a month's time," he said.

Alongside existing data, each catalogued lot now has an additional anemometer reading. Measuring the force and direction of the wind during the time of the horses' breeze, which is recorded in metres per second and noted as either a headwind (H) or crosswind (C).

Sam Beaton of Riversley Park, NZB's leaving Ready to Run Sale consignor for the last five consecutive years, was pleased to see another successful Breeze Ups carried out at Te Rapa. 

"The track was fantastic and played very fair for both days from start to finish."

"I think the wind is a big factor with Te Rapa being quite open, so I'm pleased to have the wind gauge in action this year.

"The wind is something that you cannot see, so I think it plays a big part in the breeze up process and will be insightful for buyers who cannot attend," he said.

Jamie Beatson of Ohukia Lodge was thrilled with how his draft breezed over the two days. 

"I think it has been pretty even for everyone here. We have been very happy with how our draft has breezed up."

"They all galloped nicely and we're looking forward to taking them through to the Sale in a month's time."

Day Two Highlights

• The track rated a Soft 5, which held throughout both days. After 1.5ml of rain overnight, the course proper was moved in by four metres for Day Two.
• The fastest juvenile on Day Two was Lot 305, a colt by Lean Mean Machine out of Snitzel mare Thwayya ran a time of 10.06 in Ohukia Lodge's draft.
• Ohukia Lodge also prepared the second fastest time of the day, with Lot 83 breezing down the home straight of Te Rapa in 10.07. The Deep Field colt is out of Commands mare Exotic Escape.
• Heat 83 breezed smartly, with Lot 102, an American Pharoah colt (ex Galway) running in 10.07 from Kiltannon Stables' draft, while Lot 318, a Russian Revolution (ex Virani) colt breezed in during 10.08 from Ohukia Lodge's draft.
• Ohukia Lodge also prepared two Tivaci colts in Heat 85 who both breezed home in a time of 10.22.

NZB's Breeze Up clips cover footage from near the 600 metre mark to capture horses before they fully extend into their gallop, with the last 200 metres of their work individually timed.

The Mounting Yard is also filmed for each lot, with vision of all two-year-olds parading with their jockey on-board prior to their Breeze Up. 

The full Breeze Ups clips and Mounting Yard footage will be made available for viewing on NZB's website by Friday 21 October, as well as streamed on Trackside in New Zealand, plus Sky Racing and Racing.com in Australia.

NZB's 2022 Ready to Run Sale of Two-Year-Olds will be held on 16 and 17 of November at Karaka.

View the full Breeze Up times here.

View the interviews and highlights from Day One and Two here.