$1,000 South Island Sale Graduate wins Sandown Cup

Yogi (NZ) (Raise The Flag) cost just $1,000 at the 2014 South Island Sale, and he took his earnings past A$450,000 with an impressive come-from-behind win in Saturday’s A$150,000 Listed Sandown Cup (3200m).

Ridden by Craig Williams, the gelding finished powerfully from the back of the field to win by a long neck.

Champion Victorian trainer Darren Weir was delighted with the performance, and he believes Yogi could potentially have made an impact in an even bigger two-mile race earlier this month.

“I was hoping he'd get into the Melbourne Cup as he loves wet ground,” Weir said.

“Seeing how strong he was at the end there, with 50 kilos on his back, with the blinkers on and wet ground, I'm tipping he would have beaten a few home.”

Yogi was bred by Cantabrians Hazel and David Voice and is by White Robe Lodge stallion Raise The Flag out of the Grand Lodge mare Malozza (NZ).

Yogi has now had 28 starts for seven wins, eight placings and A$471,238 in prize-money for owners Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Mr D R Wagner, Brittain Racing, Mr O F Kelly, Mr S N Davidson, Mr M E Basile, Mr T J Little, Mr M L Byrne, Mangan Racing, Mr A G Cid, Mr B R Fellows and Mr S M Frost.