NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale heads south

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

After a "solid" trading session at Karaka, the NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale moves to Christchurch today.

And there are number of strong prospects to fetch big money.

In Auckland on Monday sales totalled $51.3m on 92 yearlings sold, with a Walner filly leading the way at $220,000, and a Walner colt going for $150,000.

As a former world champion and a successful sire in North America, Walner's progeny were one of the major talking points before the sales.

Today another Walner (Lot 258), a filly out of dual Group 3 winner Egee Money, will go under the hammer. All three have been presented by Aussie powerhouse breeder Yabby Dam Farms.

After Breckon Farms was the leading vendor at Karaka with 27 yearlings sold for $1.9m, two other  heavyweights will be out in force today in Taffy Ltd (Todd and Fleur Anderson) and Studholme Bloodstock.

Among the Andersons' draft is Lot 289, a Captaintreacherous - Imaginary Bet colt that is a full brother to Captains Mistress and a half brother to Merlin.

The sale comes after Captains Mistress' four from four in Australia including her demolition job at Melton last Saturday night.

With Imaginary Bet also being the reigning Pacing Broodmare of the Year, the colt is a potential sales topper.

A total of 163 yearlings will go into the ring today.

Others looking likely to be fetch big money include :

Lot 170 - a 3/4 sister to Chase A Dream
Lot 173 - a Captaintreacherous - Spanish Armada filly
Lot 174 - King of Swing - Sucitra Colt
Lot 194 - a Captaintreacherous - True Fantasy Colt
Lot 213 - a Captaintreacherous full brother to Millwood Nike
Lot 231 - a full brother to Jumal  
Lot 298 - a full sister to Got The Chocolates

Not that the sale is just about sale-toppers.

At Karaka Australian buyers were very active, but the clearance rate was around 70% and the middle market was sluggish with the aggregate and average down on last year's record result.

There has been speculation that some of the bigger buyers will open their wallets on day 2.

Whether that transpires or not will be known from 11am.

To see the Christchurch Sales catalogue click here