Second Stakes Success for Read About It (NZ)

Within the space of just over two years, Read About It (NZ) (Wrote) has risen from a $5,000 price tag at the 2022 National Weanling Sale at Karaka to become a two-time stakes winner and one of New Zealand’s most exciting three-year-old talents.

Read About It scored an outstanding victory in Saturday’s $80,000 Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m), which was his second win from only a three-start career. He has already banked $98,475 for his owners KRD Racing, and his trainer Robbie Patterson believes there is much more in store.

Patterson sent Read About It to the South Island to make his raceday debut at Riccarton in June, producing an eye-catching finish from well back in the field to run second over 1000 metres. The gelding stepped straight up into black-type company from there and won with ease in the Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki on July 27.

Read About It’s three-year-old debut in the Wanganui Guineas on Saturday brought more of the same. Jockey Craig Grylls circled around the outside of the field coming up to the home turn, and Read About It lodged his challenge at the top of the straight.

Proven Group Three performer Unbridled Joy (Snitzel) rose to meet the challenge and fought back hard on his inside, but Read About It asserted his superiority and drew ahead to win by a length and a half.

“He’s a lovely type of horse, obviously a stakes winner already,” Grylls said. “We had a nice bit of cover in the early part of the race. From the 600, I got him out into the open. He’s got there and he’s done it all on his own, with still a bit in hand too.

“Last time he really pricked his ears and pulled up. He was a bit better today, but he’s still a little bit unsure about it.

“He’s got a lot of natural ability and is a big, beautiful, kind horse. He’s got a bit in store for him, I think.”

Although both of Read About It’s black-type successes to date have come over 1200 metres, Patterson is framing his season around a Group One target over double that distance.

“I’m concentrating on the Derby (2400m) with him,” the New Plymouth trainer said. “I think, honestly, he is a real out-and-out stayer. He’s such a relaxed horse. He’s an exciting horse.

“There have been offers to buy him, but it gives you a lot of confidence when an owner puts that much trust in you, because it’s a lot of money – it would be life-changing for me, I tell you. We don’t normally get to keep these ones, so I’m just going to savour the moment.

“He was very professional today. Gryllsy rode him exactly the way we planned it out. He’s just a good horse.

“I like the way he gets to the front and buttons off. He’s like Dan Carter – he’s got a lot of time on his side.”

Vendor	Platinum Bloodstock
Purchaser	Prestige Worldwide (Victoria)
Breeding	Wrote – Diggilou
Sale	Lot 30, 2022 National Weanling Sale, $5,000
Bred by	Mrs D R Andersen & A A K Leander