Linton the Next NZB Ready to Run Star?

With its unrivalled race-track success, the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale looks to have produced another star in the Lloyd Williams owned Linton who crushed his opposition in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Linton (Galileo x Our Heather, by Centaine) ran fourth on debut against Encosta Belief before going to Cranbourne to dominate a 1400m maiden event, with the third placed horse over 15 lengths behind the sizzling seven length winner.

On Saturday Linton's improvement and progression continued in the Group 2 $200,000 mile event which he won by close to two lengths over Take the Rap, himself the victor of the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) over Encosta Belief at his last start.

The patience that has paid dividends in the Lloyd Williams camp with the likes of Efficient and Zipping this season was on display again with Linton post-race with Nick Williams indicating that any future decisions on the path to take with the impressive grey was up to how their charge handled his racing.

Offered through the draft of Lyndhurst Farm at the 2008 NZB Ready to Run Sale, Linton fetched $275,000 to the bid of Graeme Rogerson on behalf of Lloyd Williams.

Lloyd's son, Nick, was present at Karaka for the NZB 2010 National Yearling Sale Series where, purchasing through Rogerson Bloodstock, he secured a number of lots including a colt by Encosta De Lago x Liberty Walk for $500,000, and progeny by Zabeel and O'Reilly for $420,000 apiece.

Staged annually in November, the NZB Ready To Run Sale draws buyers from throughout Asia and Australasia and the results show with Hong Kong Group 1 winner Able One, Australian Group 1 winners Rockdale, Eskimo Queen, Mr Baritone, and Ista Kareem, and this season's $1,000,000 Telegraph Handicap winner Vonusti all sourced from the Karaka Sale.

Zarita

Zarita (Pentire x Gin Player, by Defensive Play) made it two Group 2 events for Karaka graduates in Australia over the weekend when she ran away with the Sunline Stakes (1600m).

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�Zarita

The Pat Hyland trained mare encountered traffic problems in running but her class, which has seen her score in two Group 1 events, saw her through to her seventh Group win.

A $195,000 purchase from Rich Hill Stud at Karaka Premier 2006, Zarita has won over A$1,600,000 in prize-money for her owners Bill and Pat Frost of Pendant Equine.

The win gave Pentire two Australian Group 2s in two weeks following on from Rangirangdoo's Group 2 Expressway win in Sydney.

Zarita's main assignment this preparation before retiring to stud will be the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) in March.