KEY POINTS:
The Christchurch yearling sales did what even its greatest advocates thought it couldn't - it stayed still.
After two days of selling, the average settled on almost exactly the same mark as it was last year, around $26,500.
While auctioneers aren't usually happy unless their sales averages are going up, PGG Wrightson were ecstatic.
"Last season we saw the average jump from around $18,000 to $26,000 and we thought we would struggle to get near that again," said spokesman Bruce Barlass.
"After all, we had more lots and nothing near the couple of $200,000 lots we had last season.
"So to see the average stay where it was is a huge result."
Even more so because siring sensation Christian Cullen, who has been one of the driving forces behind the increases in recent sales, saw a decrease in his average.
Last season his lots averaged around $55,000, while at this sale they were around $48,000.
"To have him go down slightly, as he had to because his numbers were so high, meant other sires have stood up to be counted," said Barlass.
With few superstars lots at this sale plenty of big-money buyers went home with some bullets still left in the gun, bullets Barlass expects to be fired at Karaka tomorrow.
"I am sure we are in for a big day at Karaka.
"Not only have some big players still got money left but some of the Auckland regulars didn't even come down for this sale.
"Karaka is always our strongest sale and that will be the case again this week."
Yesterday's top lot was a Christian Cullen filly from former speedy mare Inspiring Dash which fetched $130,000.
It was purchased by Christchurch couple Clive and Rona McKay, who have been regular big spenders at the sales in the last decade.
While not a robust filly she is related to in-form mare Gail Devers and further back to outstanding young pacer Bella's Boy so has residual value as a broodmare regardless of her performances on the racetrack.
Once again galloping trainer Graeme Rogerson was busy, outlaying $82,500 for the leading trotter in the sale, a sister to last season's juvenile of the year, Fear Factor.
He was also busy in the $50,000 to $70,000 range, ensuring he will have plenty of horses to fill the harness racing stable he is developing for trainer Peter Simpson.
He wasn't the only galloping trainer involved, with leading horseman John Wheeler dragged into one of Rogerson's purchases, a $30,000 Courage Under Fire colt.
"We will have a lot of fun with that one," said Rogerson, and nobody was arguing.
While Rogerson's "buy what we want" attitude left some rival trainers, who are used to buying up big, stunned, it was just the shot in the arm this sale needed.
Of the northern trainers Geoff Small, Gareth Dixon, Tony Herlihy, Brent Mangos, John Green, Doug Gale and Steven Reid were all involved yesterday while Barry Purdon bought one of the standouts of the sales.
He paid $70,000 for a muscular brother to great mare Foreal.
"I liked the way he looked and I am sure he will be an easy horse to find owners for," enthused Purdon.
Conspicuous by their absence on the buyer's sheet were the Australian buyers. While they had moments around the $20,000 to $30,000 mark most were simply blown away by the demand for the better bred colts.
Yesterday's clearance rate of 82 per cent matched the first day and was up on last year, making for some happy vendors.
* The parade of yearlings for tomorrow's Karaka sales will be held today at 2pm.
