There were two Group I races run in Australia and New Zealand on Saturday and both were won by Kiwi-breds, whose sires have representation at the upcoming NZB Ready to Run Sale in November.
Five year-old Shocking gelding I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) was a star for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr stable last season winning the $7.5million ATC Golden Eagle and Group I MRC Toorak Handicap as well as placing in the Group I ATC Doncaster Handicap and the $5million VRC All Star Mile.
He indicated it will be more of the same this season when winning the Group I VRC Makybe Diva Stakes at his second run back from a spell and has now won seven of 16 starts earning over $7million in prizemoney.
His Melbourne Cup-winning sire Shocking has carved out a solid stud career at Rich Hill Stud and his stock have impressed in Australia with others to the make their mark including Elephant, Defibrillate, Suprise Baby and Nerve Not Verve.
Shocking has one entry for the 2022 Ready to run Sale and it’s Lot 287 from Northwood farm, a bay gelding from Starry Heights, a winning half-sister to stakes-winner Rising Heights and to the dam of Group III winner Supreme Heights from the family of Caulfield Cup winner Sky Heights.
The first Group I contest of the new season in New Zealand had a hot favourite in Aussie bred mare Imperatriz, but she could only finish fourth behind quality four year-old Proisir gelding Dark Destroyer (NZ).
Last seen finishing fourth in the Group I BRC Queensland Derby after winning the Group III BRC Rough Habit Plate, the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott trained Dark Destroyer looks set for a big spring campaign after powering clear for a decisive win.
Dark Destroyer is the second Group I winner for another of the Rich Hill Stud sires in Proisir and while his progeny are rarely offered at Australian yearling sales there are four quality geldings entered for the Ready to Run that offer a great opportunity. The quartet – Lot 51, Lot 79, Lot 201, Lot 326 - are offered by Regal Farm, Riversley Park and two by Prima Park.
Godolphin unleashed a serious colt at Rosehill last Saturday in Golden Mile, who was a dominant winner of the Group III ATC Ming Dynasty and heads next to the Group I ATC Golden Rose.
He’s not the only exciting 3YO for his sire Astern, who also has another Godolphin colt in Aft Cabin working towards the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas.
Astern has one entry for the Ready to Run and he’s Lot 77 from Pertab Racing, a gelding from unraced Darci Brahma mare Emblazoned, a half-sister to Group II winner Puttanesca and grand-daughter of Group II winner Waikiki from the family of Group I New Zealand Oaks winner Jennifer Eccles.
Click here to see the full NZB Ready to Run catalogue to be held on November 16 and 17.
