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All in readiness for NZ breeze-ups

3 minute read

NZB will host its Ready-To-Run Sale breeze-up session early next week

CADAZIO winning the Sports Underwriting Australia P/L Maiden Plate in Geelong, Australia. Picture: Racing Photos

New Zealand Bloodstock's 2022 Ready-to-Run Sale breeze-ups are set to take place next week on Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 October, commencing at midday ADST each day.

All two-year-olds entered in the Sale will breeze on the same turf track at Te Rapa Racecourse over two consecutive days.

NZB's Ready to Run Sale is the only two-year-old auction in the Southern Hemisphere that conducts its breeze-ups solely on a turf surface.

Prominent agent Phil Cataldo has a prolific track record purchasing Group 1 winners and Classic types from NZB Sales.

The leading judge of juveniles, who has picked out Mr Brightside (Bullbars), Vin De Dance (Roc De Cambes), Military Move (Volksraad) and Victoria Derby hopefuls Cadazio (Tarzino) and Artzino (Tarzino), is in solid favour of the auction house's consistent breeze-up format.

"I definitely believe there is a massive advantage to watching the two-year-olds breeze up on a purely turf surface" commented Cataldo.

"At the end of the day, you want them to perform well on the grass during a raceday, so seeing them on the turf gives a great insight as to what they would be like at a meeting."

The leading buyer is also in favour of Waikato Racing Club's facilities and is often seen judging from the stables, mounting yard or parade ring, all in close proximity to one another.

"I can easily watch the clips on NZB's website but when I'm at the breeze-ups I like to see the horses up close in person," Cataldo said.

"I like to see their temperament and their conformation, as well as how they move when they walk. Te Rapa is an excellent space to allow me to this," he said.

COVID-19 was the catalyst for NZB to lengthen their traditional breeze-up clip format, which now includes additional footage near the 600-metre mark capturing horses before they fully extend into their gallop.

NZB also films the mounting yard at Te Rapa, providing footage of all two-year-olds being paraded prior to their workout.

The full breeze-ups clips and parade footage will be made available for viewing on NZB's website by Friday 7 October, as well as streamed on Trackside in New Zealand, plus Sky Racing and Racing.com in Australia.

The 2022 edition of NZB's Ready-to-Run Sale will take place on 16 and 17 November at the iconic Karaka Sales Centre.