Extra Momentum for NZB Ready to Run Sale

New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale graduate Extra Choice (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) raced into Group 1 Victoria Derby contention with an impressive victory in the A$120,000 Listed Emsley Lodge Geelong Classic (2200m) yesterday, capping a hot run of form for the Sale.

Extra Choice (NZ) triumphant in the Listed Emsley Lodge Geelong Classic.

The run of stakes winners in Australia for NZB’s Ready to Run Sale started on Saturday with Mongolian Khan (Holy Roman Emperor) victorious in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup before stablemate Turn Me Loose (NZ) (Iffraaj) won the Listed Seymour Cup on Sunday.

The Geelong Classic is a key lead-up race to the Group 1 Victoria Derby with last year’s winner of the Derby, fellow kiwi Preferment (NZ) (Zabeel), finishing second in the Geelong Classic. Extra Choice will now head to Flemington on 31 October for the Group 1 feature, less than a year after being purchased at the 2014 NZB Ready to Run Sale for $50,000 from Haunui Farm.

“After yesterday’s win we think he has a live chance in the VRC Derby,” commented trainers David Hayes and Tom Dabernig’s Racing Manager Rayan Moore. “It will be a great thrill for all involved if he can win that ultimate goal.”

Yesterday was Extra Choice’s third win, all coming this season. The three-year-old gelding relished the step up to 2200m, having competed over 1800m at his last start.

“It was a fantastic staying performance,” said Moore. “It was a great thrill for his large group of connections and he has really started to show confidence in his races.

“Mark Pilkington secured him at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale last year and it has always been the long term plan to get him to the feature three-year-old races throughout the spring.”

Starting from barrier 10, Extra Choice, ridden by Ben Melham, swiftly crossed to the rail in the early stages, tracking fellow NZB Ready to Run Sale graduate Ragnaar (NZ) (Roc de Cambes). Melham angled Extra Choice out wider as they approached the corner, putting his mount in a position to challenge in the straight.

Racing down the centre of the track as the field straightened, Extra Choice hunted down front-runner Jadeer (Fastnet Rock) who tried to fight off the challenge but Extra Choice proved too strong in the finish to win by three-quarters-of-a-length over Jadeer with race-favourite Pay Up Bro (Husson) in third.

The three-year-old gelding has increased his prizemoney to A$96,150 for connections David Hayes, Extra One, Extra Two, Extra Three, Seymour Bloodstock, Mr CR Fisher, Mark Pilkington and Mr JR McGrath.

The son of Redoute’s Choice was bred by Don and Rochelle McLaren and is out of the stakes-winning mare Bonaichi (Fusaichi Pegasus), winner of the Listed Bonecrusher Stakes. Bonaichi is out of Group 1 winning mare Bonanov (Star Way), winner of the Group 1 Emirates Stakes.

Geelong was a happy hunting ground for kiwi horses yesterday with four winners of the nine race-programme being bred in New Zealand.

Two more graduates of the NZB Ready to Run Sale were in winning form yesterday with Alvares (NZ) (Captain Rio) winning in Ascot and Five Off the Tee (NZ) (Showcasing) winning at his second start at Te Aroha.

New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale will be held on 18 & 19 November at Karaka. Breeze Up footage will available on the NZB website from tomorrow (Friday 23 October) with a DVD copy available by request. To request Breeze Up footage or a catalogue email [email protected].