Exciting three-year-old prospect Read About It made all the headlines in the feature event at Wanganui, the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).
The Robbie Patterson-prepared galloper was having just his third start on Saturday but had created plenty of buzz around his chances and future prospects after closing off his two-year-old campaign with a scintillating victory in the Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
Patterson was keen on his chances prior to the contest and despite settling towards the rear in the seven-horse field, Read About It never gave him a moment’s worry as he put in a clinical effort to secure the victory.
Rider Craig Grylls slowly moved the son of Highview Stud stallion Wrote around the field to issue his challenge rounding the home bend and after a brief tussle with eventual runner-up Unbridled Joy, he eased clear to score by a length and a half in a respectable 1.16.61 for the 1200m journey on a Heavy10 rated surface.
Patterson was pleased to see his charge return with a win as he looks ahead to bigger prizes later in the season.
“He was very professional and Gryllsy summed the race up perfectly,” Patterson said.
“He rode him the way we had planned out and I just like the way he gets to the front and then buttons off.
“He’s a lot like Dan Carter (former All Black) in that he always has a lot of time on his side.
“Going forward I think he is an out and out stayer and I have been going on about the Derby (Group 1, 2400m) for him as he is so relaxed and is very exciting.”
Paterson also alluded to the fact that numerous offers have been made to buy the horse however owner Kirk Devers, who races Read About It under his KRD Racing banner, has so far resisted that interest and has kept the horse in Patterson’s care.
“I gives you a lot of confidence when an owner puts that much trust in you as it is a lot of money (the purchase offers) and it would be life-changing for me,” he said.
“We don’t normally get to keep these ones so I’m just going to savour the moment.
“We will go home and have a think but I’m not keen on going to Christchurch for the 2000 Guineas (Group 1, 1600m) as he has a big season ahead of him and I don’t want to bury him now.”
The Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), raced on the 8th of March at Ellerslie, will be one of the major highlights on the biggest day of thoroughbred racing in New Zealand next year with seven stakes races including four Group 1 events plus the inaugural running of New Zealand’s first thoroughbred slot race, the NZB Kiwi (1500m) for three-year-olds, on the card.
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