Likely thoroughbred buyers get early form check

By PETER GRIFFIN

The country's finest thoroughbreds are being paraded on the internet as international buyers prepare for the big Ready to Run sale at Karaka.

The New Zealand Bloodstock sale always draws an international audience - most in search of a steed that will bring them glory and riches on the racetrack.

The 559 horses up for sale next week are all available for inspection at NZ Bloodstock's website, with video-streaming "breeze up" footage showing the horses in full flight.

Web development company Terabyte designed the multimedia section of the website, using QuickTime technology. The footage of the horses has also been recorded to CD Rom and sent to potential buyers.

Terabyte managing director David Crown said the video clips should run smoothly for horse buyers accessing the site.

Most were likely to have high-speed internet connections.

"What buyers are getting is good picture quality which they can access from anywhere in the world," said Mr Crown. "It's a good way to deliver a limited supply of product to a global demand."

He added that video compression technology had advanced to the stage where it was becoming an attractive addition to websites, with Terabyte working on streaming video projects for a number of other customers.

Last year, with limited features on the site, 2500 people, many in Asia, viewed clips in the first five days of the sale.

And for those who actually make the trip to Karaka for the horse auctions, winning investments may be only a bid away. New Zealand Bloodstock is owned by Peter and Philip Vela, who also own this year's Melbourne Cup winner, Ethereal.

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