Written by Paul Vettise
Brian Jenkins took an immediate liking to a colt by Reliable Man (GB) and he’s hoping for a healthy return on his investment later this year.
The G1 Melbourne Cup-winning trainer had to go to NZ$270,000 for Lot 872 from Westbury Stud’s draft during the Book 2 session of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.
Based in Victoria but in New Zealand to assist with the G1 New Zealand Derby preparation of his brother Paul’s Tolemac (Camelot) {GB}), Jenkins first clapped eyes on the youngster at the complex on Wednesday, but was quickly won over by the bay.
Watch: Lot 872 Reliable Man (GB) x Quality Dream
“I’ve bought him for myself and a partner,” Jenkins said. “He’s going to Mark and Shelley Treweek’s place and he’ll be back for the breeze-up sale. He was bought to trade.”
“He’s just a quality colt. It’s pretty hard to fault him, I don’t think you could fault him actually.” - Brian Jenkins.
The colt is a brother to the Listed Uncle Remus S winner and G1 Levin Classic runner-up Hypnos (NZ) with their dam the unraced Elusive Quality (USA) mare Quality Dream (NZ).
The second dam Dreamworks (NZ) (Maroof {USA}) won the G2 Royal S. and her mother Slanchyvah (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}) was successful in the Listed Doomben Classic and was twice placed at Group 1 level.
“He’s just a quality colt. It’s pretty hard to fault him, I don’t think you could fault him actually,” Jenkins said.
He prepared Jezabeel (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) to win the G1 Auckland Cup in 1998 and later that year she added the G1 Melbourne Cup to her record.
Lot 872
Top end competitive
On the opening day of the Book 2 sale, 127 of the 202 catalogued lots sold for NZ$5,056,500 at an average of NZ$39,815, median at NZ$30,000 and a clearance rate of 70 per cent.
“There was good competition at the higher end of the catalogue, with Westbury, Haunui and Little Avondale all getting top honours in the statistics,” New Zealand Bloodstock Managing Director Andrew Seabrook said.
“We have two more days of selling yet to come and there are still plenty of opportunities for buyers, especially pin-hookers looking for Ready to Run horses.”
Kermadec wins trainer over
Lisa Latta has taken a shine to the stock of Kermadec this week and she made a successful move for a son on the dual Group 1 winner on Thursday.
The Awapuni trainer was keen on a colt, Lot 755, put forward by Westbury Stud and he drew attention from several quarters before he was knocked down for NZ$160,000.
“I like the Kermadecs and I thought he was the best one,” Latta said. “We figured he would go for about NZ$150,000 so we went a bit more to get him.”
Lot 755 Kermadec (NZ) x House Of Borgia
It was Latta’s fourth purchase at Karaka following Book 1 buys of fillies Pride Of Dubai, Lot 241 by Deep Field, Lot 418, for NZ$100,000 and NZ$90,000 respectively and a son of Zacinto (GB), Lot 466, for NZ$70,000.
“I like the Kermadecs and I thought he was the best one.” – Lisa Latta.
The Kermadec colt is the first foal of the Flying Spur mare House Of Borgia and she is out of a half-sister to the Hong Kong Derby winner and the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup placegetter Super Satin (Danehill Dancer {IRE}).
Latta isn’t expecting any early fireworks from the colt, with a hopeful lean toward the colt’s Classic season.
“We’ve put him in the (Karaka Million) series because there’s the 3-year-old race as well,” she said.
“I’d be expecting him to make an autumn 2-year-old and he should be a lovely 2000 Guineas horse.”
Trainer, Lisa Latta
Filly bound for Melbourne
A daughter of Per Incanto (USA), Lot 800, is on her way to Nigel Blackiston’s Flemington stable after she realised NZ$100,000.
She was offered by Little Avondale Stud, who owned the filly with Singapore identity Constance Cheng.
The youngster is the first foal of Makkura (NZ) (Falkirk {NZ}), who won her first start in New Zealand before relocating to Singapore where she was successful a further eight times, including a victory at Listed level in the Paititi Gold Trophy.
“She was a scopey filly who looks a real athlete and has a great walk.” - Nigel Blackiston.
Blackiston wasn’t at Karaka and successfully conducted his business by telephone on behalf of long-time client Ian Lewis.
“She was a scopey filly who looks a real athlete and has a great walk,” he said.
Lot 800 Per Incanto (USA ) x Makkura (NZ)
“Both Ian and I had a good look at the Per Incantos that were offered during Book 1 and were very impressed and we loved this filly as well.
“Ian raced Group 1 winning mare Suavito and it was fantastic to see her first foal make such an impact in this year’s sale.”
The son of Savabeel was purchased by Te Akau’s David Ellis for NZ$775,000 out of Waikato Stud’s draft.
Staff in the money
A colt gifted to Haunui Farm staff had them in raptures at Karaka when he sold well above expectations during Book 2.
By the nursery’s former shuttle stallion Showcasing (GB), Lot 854 attracted widespread support before he exited the ring with a NZ$160,000 price tag around his neck.
“As an incentive scheme, he was owned by all my permanent staff who have been employed 18 months or more,” Chitty said.
“The mare was sex tested so they knew they were having a colt and it’s a great result.”
Lot 854 Showcasing (GB) x Party Lights (NZ)
The colt was purchased by Eagle Farm trainer Liam Birchley, who bought his 2015 Karaka Million winner Hardline (NZ), also by Showcasing, from Haunui.
“The mare was sex tested so they knew they were having a colt and it’s a great result.” – Mark Chitty.
“It’s been a tough sale and this horse came to hand very well. We were thinking somewhere around NZ$70,000 or NZ$80,000 the way the market has been.”
Birchley is again dreaming of the Karaka Million - “he’s by the same stallion so I’ve had a bit of luck buying out of Haunui drafts,” he said.
The colt is out of Party Heights (NZ) (Elusive City {USA}), a sister to the dual Group 3 winner Shezhardtocatch (NZ).
