Ready To Run Sale Produces Another Good One

Media Release - Sunday October 7

New Zealand Bloodstock's Ready to Run Sale has unearthed numerous big-race performers in recent years, and a dominant victory in Saturday's $70,000 Group 3 Red Badge Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings has set Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) up to join them.

Te Akau Shark

Te Akau Shark

The number-one Sale of its kind in Australasia, the Ready to Run Sale has an impressive honour roll of 17 Group 1 winners includingMongolian Khan(Holy Roman Emperor),Gingernuts(NZ) (Iffraaj),Vin De Dance(NZ) (Roc de Cambes),Turn Me Loose(NZ) (Iffraaj),Gaultier(NZ) (Rios),Dukedom(NZ) (Bachelor Duke) andHall Of Fame(NZ) (Savabeel).

Te Akau Shark was bought for $230,000 at the 2016 Ready to Run Sale by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, a perennial leading buyer at the National Yearling Sales Series and an increasingly major Ready to Run player. He also bought Gingernuts and Hall Of Fame.

Te Akau Shark began his career with two wins last spring before a close fourth in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton. That remains his only defeat, having begun his four-year-old season with spectacular back-to-back wins at Hastings.

On Saturday he came from a long way off the pace, giving the leaders as much as 12 lengths as they ran down the side of the track. But he produced an electrifying turn of foot in the straight to charge to the lead and power away to win by three lengths.

"He won really well, he couldn't have been much more impressive," trainer Jamie Richards said. "I was a little bit worried at the 700 with the amount of ground he was giving them, but it didn't matter in the end. He's a very progressive horse.

Advertisement

"This is a fantastic result for a great group of owners. Quite a few of them have come over from Australia for this, and they're all wearing their shark hats – it's a bit of fun."

Owned by a group that includes several Cronulla Sharks rugby league players, Te Akau Shark has had five starts for four wins and $107,875 in stakes.

The 2018 Ready to Run Sale will be held at Karaka on November 21 and 22, with Breeze Ups at Te Rapa Racecourse on October 15 and 16.

Vendor Premier Sale: Leanach Lodge LtdReady to Run Sale: Lyndhurst Farm
Purchaser Ready to Run Sale: Mr DC Ellis (Te Akau)
Breeding Rip Van Winkle – Bak da Chief
Sale Lot 187, 2016 Premier Sale, Psd (Res $70,000)Lot 72, 2016 Ready to Run Sale, $230,000
Bred by D B Hollinshead
Advertisment
More Reading...
Maiden Wins G2 Eight Carat
The tag of New Zealand’s best maiden was emphatically stripped from the shoulders of exciting three-year-old Jennifer Eccles when she stormed past her female age group rivals to take out the Group II SKYCITY Eight Carat Classic (1600m) in the hands of visiting rider James McDonald.
Tough Decision Pays Off
The decision to geld a $1.4million Snitzel colt that is a full brother to Golden Slipper winner Estijaab is one that would not have been taken lightly and it produced an immediate result at Canterbury on Easter Monday.
Coolmore Announce 2025 Fees
Coolmore have announced fees on their 2025 roster with the exception of Wootton Bassett (GB), who is confirmed as coming to Australia, but his fee still to be decided.
New SW for Rip Van Winkle
On a day where she tasted Group One success with Gaultier in the Levin Classic (1600m) in 2017, Matamata trainer Danica Guy was at it again when she produced Germanicus to take out Group III  Bluestar Anniversary Handicap (1600m).
Machine Gun Gracie Can Shoot For The Stars After Effortless WA Oaks/Derby Double
Every racing carnival needs its headline horse, that special individual who creates a frisson of anticipation and excitement.
Te Akau Shark Ready for Aussie Debut
Exciting New Zealand galloper Te Akau Shark will kick-off his spring campaign in Australia on Saturday where he will contest the Group II Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in front of some of his local owners, including Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Captain Paul Gallen.
Subpoenaed Too Strong in the Millie Fox Stakes
Making her first start since disappointing in the Golden Eagle last October, the Chris Waller-trained Subpoenaed bounced back to form in Saturday’s $200,000 Group II Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill Gardens.
2YO Belzoni Salutes at Waverley
Juvenile gelding Belzoni has shown plenty of promise at home for trainer Lisa Latta and he was able to transfer that to raceday when scoring his maiden success in the Wilson Livestock (1100m) at Waverley on Easter Monday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday April 20
Here is the full list of 68 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Gilgai Farm Bred and Sold Nepotism Another Inglis G1 Star
Outstanding colt Nepotism (Brutal) scored one of the most remarkable G1 wins by a 2YO on an Australian racetrack in recent memory, coming from last to secure a last-stride victory in today’s Champagne Stakes at Randwick.