Cool Start Builds To A Hot Finish At Opening Session Of 2002 Ready To Run Sale

On an unseasonably cold day at Karaka the first session of the 2002 Ready to Run Sale started slowly and really just got heated up in the last hour of the day.

Thanks largely to a strong showing from Macau and Hong Kong the sale gathered considerable momentum with 4 of the last 8 lots through the ring today fetching over $100,000.

Top price was $160,000 which was given by New Zealand born, Macau based trainer Joe Barnes, for Lot 86, a gelding by Tale of the Cat x Merry Maiden from the draft of Sally's Stables. The gelding certainly had plenty of appealing factors, with his exciting young sire Tale of the Cat having several promising juveniles already in the northern and southern hemispheres, including Melbourne stakes winner, Scaredee Cat (NZ). His dam was a top filly who counted the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas among her 7 wins. Merry Maiden has left 5 time winning stakes performer in Australia, Velsontas (by Star Way). Lot 86 breezed up in excellent style, recording 10.71 for his final 200m.

Joe Barnes was the leading buyer of the session, snaring a total of 3 lots for an outlay of $377,500. His other purchases included Lot 83, a colt by Centaine x Meach for $72,500. Lot 85 and a colt by Desert Prince x Melrose for $145,000.

The other purchases over $100,000 included Lot 30, a colt by Deputy Governor x Faithful Thought, knocked down to New Zealand Bloodstock as Agent. Lot 92, a gelding by Snippets x Mrs Peron fetched $140,000 late in the day with Mr RCY Hui of Hong Kong the successful bidder.

New Zealand Bloodstock as Agent for clients from Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong purchased 5 lots for $325,000. NZ and Sydney based trainer, Graeme Rogerson bought 3 lots today for $202,500.

While the first hour saw quite a gap between vendor expectations and buyer demand, but that gap rapidly began to close as some of the more keenly fancied lots came through. By the end of today's opening session a total of 45 Lots (clearance 50%) had changed hands for an average of $54,444. Last year's comparative average was $57,240, albeit with a top price of $240,000. The clearance rate for Select horses last year was 57%.

Buyers were “hot” on a select few sires, namely Tale of the Cat, Desert Prince and proven evergreen sire, Snippets.

Viewing action at the first ever X-ray Repository was also brisk today, with considerable demand from buyers wishing to partake of this additional pre-sale information opportunity.

Tomorrow's sale kicks off with the second session of 100 Select horses, to be followed by the General session offering of 106 lots.

RTR 2002 DAY 1 TOP 10 LOTS

Lot Num Breeding Buyer Sale Price
Lot 86 Tale of the Cat x Merry Maiden Mr Joe Barnes $160,000
Lot 89 Desert Prince x Miss Michelle New Zealand
Bloodstock as Agent $150,000
Lot 85 Desert Prince x Melrose Mr Joe Barnes $145,000
Lot 92 Snippets x Mrs Peron Mr R.C.Y Hui $140,000
Lot 30 Deputy Governor x Faithful Thought New Zealand Bloodstock as Agent $115,000
Lot 35 Snippets x Financial Rescue Equine & Livestock $100,000
Exports
Lot 39 Hurricane Sky x Folio Mr Willie Leung $100,000
Lot 50 Scenic x Island Delight The Hon Henry
Plumptre $85,000
Lot 55 Langfuhr x Kalinka Mr Tim Martin $85,000
Lot 14 End Sweep x Dance the Dance Mr Tim Martin $80,000

For the full list of results log on to www.nzb.co.nz