Pacific Breeze has already showed he has the talent to match both his pedigree and his looks.
The colt will bid to build on the encouraging start he has made to his career when he takes aim at Saturday’s Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham.
Trained by Steven Cole at Byerley Park, the well-related son of North Pacific finished fourth at Te Aroha on debut before he ventured south to Waverley to open his wining account over 1200m.
“He’s a well-bred horse who has showed plenty of ability so far so it’s quite exciting for us,” Cole said.
“In his first start he was pretty unlucky when he struck interference and then, after picking himself up, flashed late to be in a photo for third.
“Sam (Spratt, jockey) said if she had got the split, she was probably the winner.”
Jonathan Riddell took the reins next time out and Pacific Breeze duly accounted for his stablemate Odds And Ends.
“It was a good win and he obviously went away for the night and had a go left-handed, which was the reason for going down there and the horse of mine that ran second finished third the other day so there’s a bit of form there,” Cole said.
Cole is also confident that Pacific Breeze will have no trouble mastering the step up in trip at Trentham.
“When I spoke to Jonathan after the win, he definitely thought he would run the 1400m out strongly,” he said.
“Obviously, with two-year-olds you never know how many will get it, but we are confident he will see the distance out and Jonathan will ride him again.”
Pacific Breeze was originally passed in for $150,000 at Karaka when offered by Woburn Fam at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
“We liked him and ended up making a deal with Woburn so it’s a good result,” said Cole, whose father David races the colt.
Pacific Breeze is the third winner for the Redoute’s Choice mare Auckland Beauty, whose dam Fritz’s Princess won the Gr.2 Shorts Handicap (1100m) and finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Winter Stakes (1400m) and third in the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m).
“He’s a big, dark black horse with plenty of size and scope about him so he has the looks to match the pedigree,” Cole said.
“He’s going to be a better three-year-old, but he’s going the right way at the moment and definitely deserves his place there on Saturday.”
Cole also has high hopes for consistent stablemate Chicago Jack in The Oaks Stud Handicap (1200m).
“He’s going really well and has been plagued by bad barriers when he’s had to go back or do a bit of work to cross,” he said.
“Het gets the one barrier on Saturday and has a very good rider with Michael McNab on, so it looks a nice race for him.”
