Melbourne's spring carnival is respected the world over for its prestigious and highly competitive racing, and this year's carnival has provided some notable pedigree updates for New Zealand Bloodstock's upcoming Ready to Run Sale.
One of the most exciting races of the carnival was the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington last Saturday, where Malaguerra (Magnus) scored a thrilling last-gasp win over Karaka graduate Spieth (NZ) (Thorn Park). Lots 97 and 189 in the Ready to Run Sale catalogue come from the same family as Malaguerra, who is now a two-time Group 1 winner after claiming the BTC Cup (1200m) in May.
Lot 132 is closely related to the exciting galloper He's Our Rokkii (NZ) (Roc de Cambes), who enhanced his growing reputation with an outstanding win in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield.
Lot 71 is from the same family as the Godolphin star Hauraki (Reset), who was a spring star in Sydney with a win in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and a placing in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m). He then travelled to Melbourne and again acquitted himself admirably, finishing second in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (2000m).
Lots 407 and 513 are from the same family as Vanbrugh (Encosta De Lago), who recaptured his high-class form from earlier in his career with a smart win in the Group 3 Coongy Cup (2000m).
Lot 190 is related to two Melbourne carnival stakes winners, the Listed winner Inside Agent (NZ) (Stravinsky) and the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) victor Saracino (NZ) (Per Incanto).
Lot 280 is closely related to Comin' Through (Fastnet Rock), who is a half-brother to the multiple Group 1 winner Criterion (NZ) (Sebring) and scored a big stakes win of his own in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m). Another relative, Moqueen (Uncle Mo), won the Listed Dulcify Quality (1600m) in Sydney.
Lot 298 is from the same family as Legless Veuve (NZ) (Pins), who won the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m), while another relative Jennifer Lynn (High Chapparal) won a Listed event at Flemington.
Lot 154 is related to Artistry (Shamardal), who won the Group 3 VRC Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m). Lots 31 and 341 are both from the same family as Ulmann (Sebring), a Listed winner at Flemington.
Lot 51 comes from the same family as Chetwood (Exceed And Excel) and Peacock (Lonhro), who both scored impressive Listed victories at Caulfield during the carnival. Lot 210 is related to Keen Array (Bel Esprit), who won two Listed events at Caulfield.
Lot 321 is closely related to the talented two-year-old Invincible Star (I Am Invincible) who was a stylish winner of the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes (1000m).
Outside of the Melbourne results, the Ready to Run Sale catalogue also features the relatives of recent stakes winners Bel Sorriso (Lots 44 and 539), Astara (Lot 54), Sacred Master (Lots 103 and 104), Spanish Bay (Lot 119), Maygrove (Lots 137 and 482), Gift Of Power (Lots 144 and 171), Saint Emilion (Lot 191), Twitch (Lot 215), Veladero (Lot 219), Sarah Sis (Lot 242), Eskimo Point (Lot 248), Kadra (Lot 285), Stallwalkin' Dude (Lot 317), The Soultaker (Lot 340), Amazing Kids (Lot 356), Perfect Reflection (Lot 449), Dixie Blossoms (Lot 459), Serjeant At Arms (Lot 470), Honey Rider (Lot 471), Ringo (Lot 476), Taghleeb (Lot 484), Rageese (Lots 494 and 533), Nymph Monte (Lot 507) and Ovidio (Lot 546).
There are also family members of recent Group 1 placegetters Hasselhoof (Lot 47), Whispering Brook (Lot 61), Rasa Lila (Lot 65), Humidor (Lot 171), Sezanne (Lot 295), Tivaci (Lot 319), Heatherly (Lot 477) and Full Of Luck (Lot 479).
Click here for a full list of pedigree updates for the 2016 Ready to Run Sale.
There is also a different kind of pedigree update surrounding Lot 344, the Highly Recommended colt out of Miami. He lined up in a 700-metre trial at Ellerslie Racecourse last week and won by a neck, clocking 41.49 seconds.
The 2016 NZB Ready to Run Sale catalogue has attracted 552 two-year-olds. The Sale will be held on 16 & 17 November 2016 at Karaka with selling starting at 10am each day.
The Breeze Ups were held at Te Rapa Racecourse on 17 & 18 October with the youngsters filmed and timed galloping over 200m - Breeze Up clips are now available toview online.
DVD copies of the Breeze Ups are available upon request fromreception@nzb.co.nz. Breeze Up clips are also available on the freeiPad application.
For catalogue and DVD requests emailreception@nzb.co.nz.
