NZ Herald Reviews RTR Sale

New Zealand Herald racing writer Mike Dillon reports:

Regal Farm's successful association with Cambridge Stud went to another level when New Zealand Bloodstock's Ready to Run Sale finished yesterday.

Shane Crawford and Kara Waters' operation had the honour of selling the headline act of the auction when a High Chaparral colt was bought by Te Akau Stud's David Ellis for $430,000.

"It's a very proud moment for Kara and I and makes all the hard work that goes into this worthwhile, it's huge for both of us," Crawford said.

"We've been breaking in quite a lot for Cambridge Stud for the past few years ... we broke this colt in. Six weeks before the breeze-ups, Sir Patrick approached us and said to prepare him for the sale.

"He's a beautifully balanced colt and being a November foal he's nowhere there yet, but he's a lovely horse."

The 2-year-old is out of the Zabeel mare Deduction, who is a three-quarter sister to the former champion international stayer and multiple group one winner Might And Power and a half-sister to the former champion Hong Kong miler Lucky Owners.

"I genuinely think this is the nicest colt I've bought here at Karaka since Darci Brahma," Ellis said. "He's an absolutely stunning colt, on the same cross as It's A Dundeel.

"At the Karaka Sales in January, I bought four colts for a syndicate that had the misfortune of losing the Fastnet Rock colt when he broke his leg at trackwork just a couple of weeks ago so I have bought this colt to replace him.

"He's a colt that we could send to Christchurch for the 2000 Guineas and then train on for the New Zealand Derby and the big staying races in Australia."

The sale average was $79,580, up nine per cent on last year's record of $72,865.  Similarly the median of $50,000 set a record, up 4 per cent on last year's $48,000 and the clearance rate improved through the day to end up at 62 per cent.

"There has been some very good competition over the past two days, particularly at the top end of the market," NZB co-managing director Petrea Vela said.

"We would have liked to see the clearance rate strengthen even further, but the returns are still ahead of last year with some very pleasing results."

NZ Herald picture - Trish Dunnell