The first battle of a three-day war saw most of the big players score at least some small victories at Karaka on Monday.
All the traditionally big Sales buyers got involved on a day when rain kept overall numbers down but the auditorium was packed with serious players.   That, coupled with plenty of early competition, saw a bottom line increase that had most vendors happy.

After last year’s Sales average dropped seven percent, there were concerns among some Sales regulars that prices could fall again at the Australasian Classic Yearling Sale on Monday but they proved unfounded, with a five percent increase in the average.  In all 175 lots were sold for $4,265,000, an average of $33,849. That was led by a powerful start to the day, with three $100,000-plus lots in the first two hours including both joint Sales-toppers at $180,000.
And it was the men at the head of the Premiership who were to the fore as buyers.

While the $180,000 Art Major-Sabelle colt went offshore to Perth, leading Kiwi trainers Graeme Rogerson and Mark Purdon were big buyers.  So too were Lincoln Farms, for whom Ray Green trains, while Cran Dalgety continued his exciting season with five purchases including a $100,000 colt by Real Desire.  The hustle for the star lots was so intense that some trainers were left stunned, hoping for a more even Sale in Christchurch the next three days.

But auctioneers PGG Wrightson were left beaming by the result.  “To regain most of the loss from last season is a huge result,” said spokesman Bruce Barlass.  “Two years ago we left here thrilled at an amazing Sale so to be almost back on that mark again, after what the economy has been through since, is very encouraging.”

The Sale was typical of Karaka, which has a more elite feel than the longer Christchurch Sale.
The main 10 buyers were basically interested in the same lots and they all went close to $100,000 or more.  But there were bargains, particularly for yearlings not by the top five or six stallions.  Christian Cullen was his usual superb-selling self with a far smaller representation this year, while there was strong support for Mach Three and Bettor’s Delight.  But sires likes Real Desire, McArdle and Grinfromeartoear all provided value lots.  One of the big winners out of the day was trotting sire Pegasus Spur, who had two big lots, with interest in trotters generally good.