Racing: Big names prove powerful magnet

Three words should ensure New Zealand's standardbred yearling sales next week are a success.

One of those words is ELSU, the other two are MAINLAND BANNER.

That is what sales officials believe is attracting a record number of Australian buyers to the sales, which start at Karaka on Monday and head to Christchurch on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The standardbred sales have ridden a steep improvement curve in recent years, with the average price at Karaka around $8000 a decade ago but closer to $25,000 two years ago.

Last season's average dropped slightly because there were so few yearlings by super sire Christian Cullen or top stallions In The Pocket and Falcon Seelster.

But those three have large representations next week and that is one reason the Australians, who have drifted away slightly in the last three years, are returning.

"We really have an incredibly strong catalogue in stallion quality," said Peter Lagan, spokesman for auctioneers PGG Wrightson.

"Last year we still had all the great broodmares but not the same depth among the top sires.

"But that is back this year and there is no doubts that has helped get the Australians back."

The recent round of Australian yearling sales failed to produce any huge prices and that could be linked to many of their leading trainers saving some firepower for the New Zealand sales.

"The sales in Australia were good but the bottom line is most owners who are willing to travel to buy yearlings are looking at the top quality stuff.

"In the last year they have seen Elsu go to Australia and do something amazing in the Hunter Cup before winning his incredible Interdominions.

"And then no sooner has he retired than we turn up Mainland Banner, who looks a freak.

"Both those horses were sold at our yearling sales and everybody knows that. It is something trainers can't ignore if they want to do the best by their owners and as far as we are concerned, its advertising money can't buy."

Lagan said as many as 40 Australian buyers could attend next week while most of the local big spenders, headed by Auckland-based Lincoln Farms and Canterbury owner Dennis Thompson, are also likely to be back.

Buyers will have no shortage of targets either, with 160 lots at Karaka on Monday and nearly 400 lots spread over the two days in Christchurch.

"It wasn't that long ago we wouldn't have been able to catalogue that many horses without really compromising on quality but we are confident we can do it now," said Lagan.

"The depth of our stallions is amazing at the moment while the whole breeding and sales industry is so much more professional than it used to be.

"So with all those things in place I can't see why we won't rebound from last year's correction in the average and go close to a record again."

The sales start on Monday at 11am, with a parade of yearlings at Karaka on Sunday at 2pm.