Outovstock (NZ) Adds to Riverrock’s Run

The initial disappointment of passing in Pulchritudinous (NZ) (Wrote) and Outovstock (NZ) (Tavistock) at the 2022 Ready to Run Sale has turned into a series of big-race triumphs for Riverrock Farm’s Chad Ormsby.

Outovstock became the latest chapter in that success story on Saturday, winning the $120,000 Group Three Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham. Ormsby bought him for $50,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2022, then passed him in with a $150,000 reserve at the Ready to Run Sale later that year. He has now had eight starts for two wins and a placing, earning more than $94,000 in stakes.

His success follows on from that of Pulchritudinous, who cost just $32,500 at Karaka 2022 and failed to meet her $50,000 reserve at the Ready to Run Sale. She won last month’s Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and Group Two Lowland Stakes (2000m), banking just under $400,000 in the process.

Saturday was a breakthrough performance for Outovstock, who had cleared maiden ranks over 1600 metres at Pukekohe in late February before a gallant second on a heavy track at Tauranga on March 23. The Manawatu Classic was his first black-type test, and he rose to the occasion.

Ridden by Michael McNab, the gelding settled near the back of the field before launching a power-packed finish in the straight. He strode to the front with just under 200 metres remaining and forged ahead to win by an ever-widening two and a quarter lengths.

“We’ve had a pretty good run with these horses that we couldn’t sell,” Ormsby said. “We try to back ourselves with the horses that we buy and then offer at the Ready to Run Sale. To get results like this win today, along with what the filly did in the Oaks, it’s so rewarding and it really enhances our Riverrock Farm brand. We want to be known for producing quality racetrack performers.

“We came into today with our fingers crossed that he might be able to produce a performance like that. Getting up over ground has definitely been the making of him. Michael McNab said he’s still racing quite keenly and has a bit more to learn, but the further he goes, the better he’s going to be.

“He’s probably still six months away. I think he’s going to make a lovely four-year-old in time. But he showed today what he’s capable of, and I think that pedigree came through a little bit as well.”

The Manawatu Classic produced a trifecta for Karaka graduates. Runner-up Investigate (NZ) (Dundeel) was a $70,000 purchase from the Book 1 draft of Cambridge Stud, who also bred and sold Outovstock. Investigate’s six-start career has produced a win, four placings and $41,475 in stakes.

The third placegetter was Just As Sharp (NZ) (Swiss Ace), who was bought for $145,000 from Westbury Stud’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2022. He has earned $268,810 from a 10-start, three-win career.