New Zealand Bloodstock's Ready to Run Sale has produced a string of top-class graduates – Sangster (NZ) (Savabeel), Atlante (Fastnet Rock), Mongolian Khan (Holy Roman Emperor), Well Done (NZ) (Falkirk) and Debt Collector (NZ) (Thorn Park) to name a few. A new name was added to that list on Saturday when Hall Of Fame (NZ) (Savabeel) scored a five-length win in the $50,000 Listed Zacinto Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton.
Ridden by Matt Cameron for trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards, Hall Of Fame led throughout the 1600-metre feature and raced away down the straight to complete a spectacular five-length victory.
The last three winners of the Zacinto Stakes – Risque (NZ) (Darci Brahma), Platinum Witness (California Dane) and Atlante – have all gone on to Group 1 success in the 1000 or 2000 Guineas at Riccarton. Hall Of Fame will try to make that four.
"He's in good form and he seems to be improving all the time," Richards said. "He seems to be on track for the big one in a couple of weeks' time. He'll face a better field in the 2000 Guineas, but we couldn't be any happier with how he's progressing."
It was the third win from six career starts for Hall Of Fame, who has placed in two of his other three and has now earned more than $63,000 in stakes.
Bred by M W O'Keeffe, Hall Of Fame was offered by Lyndhurst Farm at last year's Ready to Run Sale. He was purchased by Te Akau Racing for $230,000.
He was a highly successful pinhook having been bought first from the Newgate Farm draft at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $100,000.
Hall of Fame is the first winner for Around the Clock, a Galileo (IRE) mare from the family of Group I VRC Victoria Derby winner Nothin' Leica Dane.
