KEY POINTS:
CHRISTCHURCH - Watch out harness racing - here comes Rogey.
Champion galloping trainer Graeme Rogerson signalled the start of his professional involvement in harness racing with a spending spree at the yearling sales in Christchurch yesterday.
Rogerson bought six yearlings, including two for $100,000, one of those with a one-bid knockout punch that started and ended the bidding.
While his purchases were just below the two joint top lots of $110,000, it is what Rogerson intends doing with his purchases that will send shockwaves through both the harness racing and galloping industries.
When Rogerson started buying harness horses two years ago they were spread between the Mark Purdon and Tony Herlihy stables but it looks as though he is now setting up his own stable.
He would not confirm that yesterday but the Herald understands the horses will be trained in New Zealand by former Kiwi horseman Peter Simpson in what could be a partnership with Rogerson.
And even if he doesn't put his name to the partnership Rogerson left little doubt yesterday that he is going to be involved in the training and that yesterday's purchases were just the start.
He is also believed to be negotiating to buy one of Australia's best trotters to kick-start his operation.
He was at his flamboyant best yesterday when he opened the bidding at $100,000 for a Falcon Seelster filly out of former outstanding Australian filly Tandia's Courage.
That scared fellow buyers away and the filly spent less than a minute in the ring. She will be raced with Christian Cullen's owner Ian Dobson.
"That is the way to buy them," Rogerson quipped.
He also outlayed $100,000 for a Christian Cullen colt from one-win mare Supreme Holmes.
The $110,000 top lots were an Artsplace colt from Winter Rose purchased by Jim and Susan Wakefield and a brother to Courage Under Fire bought by Dennis Thompson of Christchurch.
While there were no lots nearing the $200,000 figure two lots made last season, yesterday's opening sale day was more consistent through the middle with the average almost exactly the same as the $26,500 of last season, a better result than the auctioneers had been dreaming of.
The sale continues today before the Australasian Classic Sale is held at Karaka on Thursday.
* Champion Australian pacer Lombo Pocket Watch has been handed the perfect start to his New Zealand career.
The superstar will start from barrier three in his prelude of the Woodlands Northern Derby at Alexandra Park on Friday night.
