3 minute read

The countdown to the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale continues to be littered with stakes-winning graduates of previous editions of the sale – most recently perennial big-race performer Money Catcher (NZ) (Ferlax) in Sunday’s HK$3.9m Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1800m) at Sha Tin.

Money Catcher was a $60,000 purchase from the 2019 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, having previously cost only $13,000 at the Karaka May Sale a year earlier. Sunday's win took his earnings past HK$9m, which is the equivalent of almost NZ$2m – 33 times his Ready to Run Sale price.

Sunday's win was a deserved black-type breakthrough for Money Catcher, who placed in New Zealand's Group Two Avondale Guineas (2100m), Group Two Auckland Guineas (1600m) and Group Three Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) under his previous name Jason Belltree. He has continued in a similar vein in Hong Kong, placing in eight of his first 12 starts including the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m)

Money Catcher earned his first Hong Kong victory with a bold front-running performance, leading all the way and defying all challenges down the straight. He won by half a length, stopping the clock at 1:46.34 for the 1800-metre journey.

"Money Catcher was the best handicapped on the day," winning rider Silvestre de Sousa said. "The horse likes to be there (leading), and with the weight he was carrying, I knew from the 800-metre mark that something good would happen. I hope this win can build his confidence for next time."

Trainer Frankie Lor may even set his sights on the HK$34m Group One Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at next month's world-famous Hong Kong International Races.

"Maybe, maybe, but I'll still have a look over the next few days," Lor said. "This horse is always very unlucky – second, third, fourth. This time, he won the race for the owners. Really happy. We waited for the win for a long time.

"We planned, if no one wanted to lead, we could lead by ourselves. It was really good for him."

Money Catcher completed a weekend black-type double for Ready to Run Sale graduates, with Lincoln's Kruz (Kuroshio) winning the $80,000 Listed Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton the previous day.

The 2022 edition of the Ready to Run Sale will be held at Karaka on November 16 and 17, with selling starting at 11am each day.