KEY POINTS:
There was a time when New Zealand's standardbred yearling sales used to be sadly predictable.
Just a decade ago the sales used to be dominated by a few big spenders, with any yearling fetching $100,000 drawing gasps and an average price around a pathetic $10,000.
Anybody who wants proof those days are gone forever need only attend, or watch on Sky Sport 2, the opening day of the sales in Christchurch today.
More than 550 lots will be sold over the next few days - with today and tomorrow in Christchurch, and then in Karaka on Thursday. Trying to pick the star - equine or human - will be nearly impossible.
As well as the usual Australian interest, the domestic buyers' bench will be the strongest ever, with several new players having emerged in the last three years to fill the void left by former sale-topping buyer Kypros Kotzikas and the late John Seaton.
That, coupled with a catalogue crammed with sons and daughters of champion sire Christian Cullen, mean sales week these days is not for the faint-hearted.
"The emergence of the local buyers, some of whom we had never heard of a few seasons ago, has been the real story of the sales," says Bruce Barlass, spokesman for auctioneers PGG Wrightson.
"I remember when I first started working at the sales we would have three or four lots around $30,000 to $40,000 and they were usually bought by Australians.
"And even last decade we had guys like Kypros and John dominating with not many willing to go up against them.
"Now I could name 10 buyers who would easily spend more than $100,000 on a horse and new ones are emerging all the time."
That confidence has been fuelled by tax relief, the developments of new series like the Harness Jewels and the across- the-board general increase in stakes.
Races like the Great Northern Derby were stuck at $100,000 for years but have now ballooned to $200,000, with many other following.
"The amount of positive publicity in the last year is amazing and the stake increases mean even if you don't buy a top horse they can win a lot of money in sales series and sires' stakes races as well as through the harness plus scheme."
While everybody involved in the sales expects a strong week, Barlass is almost as certain the average price over the two days in Christchurch may be slightly down.
"When I walked off the sales yard last year I thought to myself, this can't keep going," admitted Barlass.
"Last season our average price jumped 48 per cent to $26,000. Now that is unbelievable.
"I think it will be around that mark again but we have more horses to sell and I think some buyers might keep some money in reserve for the Karaka sale, which is also very strong.
"But after that massive leap forward last season if we can reach anything like that again I'll be thrilled."
Much of last year's increase was driven by the incredible demand for yearlings by Christian Cullen, whose lots averaged $55,000 throughout the country.
This week he has record numbers in the sales and his average could be expected to be lower, which may bring down the overall stats.
The incredible jump in the standard of yearlings - both in breeding and presentation - makes selecting what could be the top lot difficult but there are several safe bets to make big money today.
Among them is Lot 180, a standout Christian Cullen colt from Caps Off, as well as a smart filly who is a half-sister to Badlands Bute.
Early in the sale Lot 35, a sister to Likmesiah and Mighty Cullen, will sell well while a sleeper may be Lot 63, a colt by Bettors Delight, who has been a sensation in North America this season.
Sales week
* The annual standardbred sales week starts in Christchurch today.
* It continues tomorrow before moving to Karaka on Thursday.
* Over 550 yearlings will go under the hammer.
* Many new big-spending buyers have emerged in recent years.
