The deeds of at least two Wingatui-trained horses could add to the success of the South Island sale in Christchurch tomorrow.
The sale, which starts at 11am at the Canterbury Agricultural Park, is being held in April for the first time since New Zealand Bloodstock moved it from its traditional date of August.
Yearlings sold tomorrow sale are now eligible to be entered in the Karaka Million series. One hundred-and-forty of the 163 listed lots, following withdrawals, are yearlings, with 2yr-olds, unraced stock, race horses, broodmares and one weanling making up the rest. Natuzzi's performance in a $100,000 open 1200m at Caulfield could give a boost to the stock of Coats Choice, with 10 yearlings by the Berkley Stud-based sire entered in the sale.
The son of Coats Choice and Monsanto was a steal at the 2yr-old and mixed bloodstock sale in 2010, selling for just $9000. He has now won $211,125 from his 21 career starts.
Former White Robe Lodge handicap winner Ric O'Shea has the chance to add to his half-brother's value if he produces a placing or better in the Canterbury Gold Cup today.
His yearling sibling by Alamosa is the first lot to go through the ring tomorrow but can call on a strong production line from his dam Fellowship, as Ogato (one win), Mohaka (three), High Jinks (two) and Red Bull (one) have all proved successful on race day.
The largest draft of 13 yearlings comes from White Robe Lodge's second-season sire Raise the Flag. The son of Sadler's Wells made waves at Karaka 2014, as the leading sire at the second-tier with an average of $86,667.
A bay colt out of Notable may well draw attention when he goes through the ring as lot 61.
The yearling by Raise The Flag is the first foal out of the Danzighill mare, who won races over 1600m and 2000m during her career.
Her dam, Lal's Gift, has proved to be an excellent broodmare for White Robe Lodge, having produced eight winners from the 11 foals to make it to the races, including Easter Cup winner De Montford and Manawatu Classic winner King Johny. Notable's half-sister Laura Dee has left Wellington and New Zealand Cup winner Blood Brotha.
A filly out of Upclosenpersonal has strong female lines to draw on, with her dam a half-sister to the well-performed Inferno and Ortem Fire.
Updates
Additional information for meetings today.-
M2 Auckland RC
Scratchings:
Race 2: She's Samashing
Race 6: Undefined, Pondarosa Miss, Little Dreamer
Weather, showery; track, dead4; rail, true.
M4 Wellington RC
Riders:
Race 1: Von Toll - Kane Smith
Race 2: Crafty Lady - Ronald Stam
Race 3: Queen Of The Castle - Cory Anderson (a4)
Scratchings:
Race 2: Joby
Race 3: Tomsk
Race 5: Misterhank
Race 6: Phoenix Tycoon
Weather, drizzling; track, slow8; rail, true.
M6 Canterbury JC
Riders:
Race 2: She's Riveting - Ryan Bishop; Miss Clevedon - David Walsh
Race 3: Dunoon - Robert HannamRace 8: Dickens - KC Walters
Race 9: Lagerfeld - Jack Wong (a3)
Scratchings:
Race 1: Samphire
Race 2: Toetwotoe
Race 4: Here's To It
Race 8: The Solitaire
Race 9: Evancho
Weather, overcast; track, heavy10; rail out 7m.
