Ready to Run Graduate Storms Home in Supreme Challenge Cup

The quality of horses available at NZB’s Ready to Run Sale is being showcased in style in Malaysia this year by rising star four-year-old Antipodean (NZ) (Derryn), who added another feature race to his outstanding record in Sunday’s RM100,000 Sports Toto Supreme Challenge Cup (1400m) at Selangor.

Trainer Simon Dunderdale paid only $23,000 to buy Antipodean from Regal Farm’s draft at the 2022 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka. His 10-start career has now produced nine wins, a second placing and almost RM400,000, headed by victories in the Supreme Challenge Cup and last month’s RM200,000 Selangor Gold Cup (1600m).

While many of Antipodean’s previous successes have come after settling close to the speed, the exciting up-and-comer had to come from the back half of the 16-horse field in Sunday’s Supreme Challenge Cup.

But jockey Wong Chin Chuen timed his run to perfection and Antipodean flew down the Selangor home straight, sweeping past Berry Bliss (NZ) (Charm Spirit) in the final few strides and winning by three-quarters of a length.

“I am lucky to ride him,” Wong said. “I feel he’s the best four-year-old in Malaysia at the moment.

“It was definitely not what we wanted and we got further back than we expected. Because of the draw and other horses kicking up on the inside, I couldn’t get a good spot. I needed to take the risk and drop back to save ground. But the horse did really well.

“At the top of straight I started to pick him up and make my run on the outside. He just kept making up ground, stayed focussed and hit the line really well. He has a bright future and I believe he is even better over longer trips.”

Dunderdale has been delighted with Antipodean’s progress this year.

“He’s just kept doing it,” he said. “He didn’t look like he was going to pick them up today, but Wong got to work on him and pulled him wide. He was just too good.

“He’s an unusual horse, hard to find and I am lucky to have him in my stable.”

The 2024 edition of the Ready to Run Sale will be held at Karaka on November 20 and 21, where Regal Farm will offer Lot 103, a full brother to the rising star.

Vendor	Karaka 2022: Grangewilliam StudReady to Run Sale: Regal Farm
Purchaser	Mr S Dunderdale (Malaysia)
Breeding	Derryn – Pakapunch
Sale	Lot 974, Karaka 2022 Book 2, Psd (Res $40,000)Lot 204, 2022 Ready to Run Sale, $23,000
Bred by	Grangewilliam Stud Ltd