Timely Payday for Ready to Run Sale Graduate

With the 2024 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka only two weeks away, a previous graduate of the standout two-year-old sale scored a timely win in the A$3m Listed Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Tuesday.

Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto) was a $100,000 purchase from Book 1 of Karaka 2021, then was passed in when offered with a $450,000 reserve at the 2021 Ready to Run Sale. Gringotts has now had 16 starts for eight wins, seven placings and A$2.48m in stakes.

The Big Dance was the second black-type success for Gringotts, who had previously won the Listed Members’ Handicap (1600m) in Brisbane in May.

This was a more impressive performance, jumping from gate 19 among a talented 20-horse field. Jockey Tommy Berry managed to make his away across to the rail, settling in a distant second behind runaway leader Zouatica (Zoustar).

The front-runner began to tire a long way from the finish, and Gringotts had the task of dragging the field up behind him before hitting the front very early in the run home.

Those exertions began to take their toll on Gringotts down the long Randwick straight, but he fought for all he was worth and held his pursuers out by three-quarters of a length.

“I hate being in front that far out,” Berry said. “But I just held my nerve and he got the job done. It’s a nice feeling.

“He's going to be better again next preparation. He's still learning his craft. Last start he wanted to go a little bit keen, but they put a bit more work into him this time and had him primed for the day.

“It's nice to get one for this team and this ownership group, Ozzie Kheir and everyone else that's involved there. They're great supporters of mine.”

Gringotts is trained by Ciaron Maher, who was represented at Randwick on Tuesday by Johan Gerard-Dubord.

“That's a huge, huge effort,” he said. “Obviously the barrier was always going to be a concern, but we were very confident in where he was going.

“Tommy was happy to do a bit of work early. He travelled well and then kicked, and he was just too good for them. Great to get a win for those owners. Ozzie is a great supporter, and there are some very good people in the horse.”

Gringotts is a son of the Savabeel mare Miss Bluebell (NZ), whose dam is a half-sister to the dam of the legendary Winx (Street Cry).

Miss Bluebell has had two foals to race, and both have been black-type performers. Her daughter Millefiori (NZ) (Iffraaj) was bought for $65,000 at Karaka 2020 by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, and she has won seven races and placed in the Listed Great Easter Stakes (1400m).

The 2024 edition of the Ready to Run Sale will take place at the Karaka Sales Centre on 20 & 21 November, with selling starting at 11am (NZT) each day.

Vendor	Karaka 2021: Archer ParkReady to Run Sale: Kilmore Farm
Purchaser	Kasa Bloodstock (Waikato)
Breeding	Per Incanto – Miss Bluebell
Sale	Lot 538, Karaka 2021 Book 1, $100,000Lot 202, 2021 Ready to Run Sale, Psd (Res $450,000)
Bred by	Totara Park Stud