Australasian Classic reaches new heights

The first of this years harness racing sales took place today at Auckland and in a splurge that started from lot one, the sale took off and never really slowed down.

Lot one was a Bettors Delight colt from the former smart juvenile Veste 1:57.1 ($106,024).

Named Voltaire, he was sold to the bid of Maurice McKendry acting as agent for $100,000.

With a start like that the sale took off and when lot eight walked into the ring the bar was raised even higher.

A three quarter brother to Adore Me and Have Faith In Me from a three quarter sister to Christen Me and Hands Christen, the colt called Praise Be was knocked down to Mark Purdon for $200,000.

Mark was acting on behalf of Dennis Dunford and his son Mark who have raced Hands Christian and Have Faith In Me from the All Star barn.

There were several other six figure sums achieved on the day which we have listed below:

*Lot 106  –  Bettors Delight   –  Scuse Me  –  $180,000

*Lot 133  – Bettors Delight  –  Temepara Cullen  –  $165,000

*Lot 119  –  Art Major  –  Sky Beauty  –  $150,000

*Lot 116  –  Bettors Delight  –  Splendid Dreams  –  $120,000

*Lot 137  –  Art Major  –  Thebestamancanget  –  $107,500

Most of the well known buyers were in attendance but some weren't buying as much as they have in the past.

Cran Dalgety was very quiet today buying just one yearling and what was just as surprising was it was Lot 46 an Angus Hall filly which cost him $47,500.

We have listed the major players from today below:

* Mark Purdon  –  Number brought – 5     Total spend  –  $490,000

* Barry Purdon  –  Number brought – 6     Total spend  –  $357,000

* Lincoln Farms – Number brought  –  4     Total spend  –  $367,500

* Nigel McGrath – Numbers brought  –  5     Total spend  –  $263,500  

Hall of Fame thoroughbred trainer Jim Gibbs signed the ticket for two yearlings including lot 95, an Art Major colt which cost him $75,000

Australians  brought seventeen of the 112 lots that changed hands today today with the usual players like Trevor Lindsay involved once again while Emilio and Mary Rosati only brought one lot but it was the $165,000 filly, Kharizma.

The overall aggregate for the sale was an impressive $4,653,500 with the average a staggering $41,549.

As expected Bettors Delight won the sires battle with the forty sold averaging $55,512.

Day two is at Christchurch tomorrow.

Sales Results 

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Harnesslink Media