Read About it slams down Classic marker
Robbie Patterson looks to have a genuine Classic contender on his hands in the shape of Read About It (3 g Wrote – Diggilou by Iffraaj) who showed his high-class credentials in Saturday’s Wanganui Guineas (Listed, 1200m).
The gelding was making his competitive return having not been seen since he closed off his juvenile campaign with a triumph in the Ryder Stakes (Listed, 1200m) and he picked up where he left off when under Craig Grylls, defeating Unbridled Joy (Snitzel) by 1.5 lengths. He’s Lucid (Contributer) came home a further 2.3 lengths away in third.
Patterson was pleased to see Read About It return with a win as he looks ahead to bigger prizes later in the season, with races like the New Zealand 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) and New Zealand Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) on the table.
“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.
“Going forward I think he is an out and out stayer and I have been going on about the Derby 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.
“It 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 as he has a big season ahead of him and I don’t want to bury him now.”
The New Zealand 2,000 Guineas will take place at Riccarton on November 9, while the New Zealand Derby is set to be staged on March 8 at Ellerslie.