Racing: Thompson sings sales praises

A Christian Cullen colt from T A Sportsplex appeals to some potential buyers at Karaka yesterday. Picture / Richard Robinson

Big Dennis is back and he has brought his big chequebook with him.

And that can only be good news for vendors at today's Australasian Classic Yearling Sale at Karaka.

The sales brings together the strongest catalogue of standardbred yearlings offered in Australasia this year and has a more high-class boutique feel to it than the two-day marathon sales which will follow in Christchurch tomorrow and on Wednesday.

A huge contingent of Australian buyers flew in last night after attending the Sydney sales yesterday and they will find the horseflesh of significantly better quality.

But while the Australians will be big players today they won't get things all their own way if Dennis Thompson puts his rather large shoulders back.

Canterbury-based Thompson made a huge splash at last year's sales, purchasing 14 lots and says he aims to take at least as many home this year.

"I am really happy with the results we are getting from last year's purchases. We have already qualified eight of them and won a couple of races.

"I am enjoying it to so I am keen to get involved again."

Thompson is adamant today's sale will be the best of the three days this week.

"This is the best sale, for quality of horses, breeding, everything ...

"I have been very impressed with what I have seen."

While Thompson looks set to be the biggest local spender again there is sure to be great strength right across the buying bench.

All of New Zealand's leading trainers were at yesterday's parade and most reported strong interest from their owners.

PGG Wrightson's spokesman Bruce Barlass said the auctioneers couldn't be happier with the build-up to today.

"We are in a great position in that harness racing is very strong at the moment," said Barlass.

"We had a great champion in Elsu win the local Interdominions last year and then we have seen another champion emerge from the sales in Mainland Banner.

"On top of that we have stakes going up at Alexandra Park and a A$1.5 million ($1.65 million) Interdominion coming up in Tasmania, so there is a very good feel in the industry that will translate into dollars this week."

The depth of the stallions represented today will be the key attraction.

Last year's Karaka sale was strong but lacked real sting because of the diminished number of stock by Christian Cullen.

Today he has nearly 40 lots entered, while Falcon Seelster returns and there are plenty of stock by In The Pocket, Presidential Ball, Artiscape, Live Or Die and Pacific Rocket.

"The only way to explain this to people who don't pay a lot of attention to standardbred breeding is this sale would be like the throughbreds having plenty of lots by Danehill, Sir Tristram and Zabeel all in the same catalogue."

That should ensure an average in the neighbourhood of $25,000.

Among the star lots today will be a close relation to Elsu, who as lot three should ensure the sale is awoken from its usual slow start.

While the strength of the catalogue makes picking a top lot difficult there is certain to be good money for lot 125, a Christian Cullen colt out of former speedy juvenile Fearless Freda.

The imposing individual was one of the standouts in yesterday's parade and already looks like a racehorse so anything short of $100,000 for him today would be disappointing.

The sales starts at 11am.

* A Falcon Seelster colt from Rose To Stardom prepared by Leeza Newton at Cambridge was judged the best prepared colt at yesterday's parade.

A daughter of Pacific Rocket and Nora's Lily won the best prepared filly for Sandy Stuart's farm in Raglan.

HAMMER TIME

* The Australasian Classic Yearling sale is held at Karaka today.

* It is the strongest standardbred sale in the Southern Hemisphere.

* A huge number of Australian buyers will attend while local interest is also high.

* Leading sires Christian Cullen and Muscles Yankee should be the stars.