By MICHAEL GUERIN
The top price and the average price will both almost certainly be down on last year yet auctioneers Pyne Gould Guinness couldn't be happier going into the first day of sales week.
The annual standardbred sales start in Christchurch today, continue tomorrow and then head to Karaka on Thursday.
The sales have drawn record numbers, with 516 yearlings to go under the hammer in front of a record number of Australian buyers.
"The Australian buying bench this season is huge,"said PGG spokesman Bruce Barlass.
"About 10 years ago we only sold three horses to Australia at one sale. This year I can see us selling 100."
But Barlass says while the sale will be very strong he expects the average in Christchurch to be down on last year.
"We are selling 100 more horses at this sale alone this year so obviously that is going to make it hard to keep the average up.
"Also last season we had two very big lots in the brothers to Christian Cullen and Courage Under Fire so they helped the average along a lot."
The half-brother to Christian Cullen fetched $240,000 last year, a figure Barlass says is unlikely to be beaten this year.
"It is always hard to tell because all it takes it two people determined to get the same horse and the price could reach anything.
"But there was a lot of hype around that horse last season."
The hype yearling for today will be lot 150, a colt by US champion stallion Western Hanover from OK Deb, a dual Hydroflow heat winner and a close relation to Courage Under Fire.
It is a family which has traditionally sold well as yearlings and juveniles and with the colt's strapping looks, more than $150,000 is possible.
"It wouldn't surprise me if we had at least six yearlings top the $100,000 mark this week because we have some beautiful lots."
While the higher numbers could result in the average price falling in Christchurch, Barlass says the Auckland sale will hold up well.
"I know we have a 30 per cent increase in yearlings at Karaka but it really is a great sale up there.
"There are some outstanding lots with a lot of depth in the sale. Karaka will be very strong."
Racing: Auctioneer happy going into sales
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