‘Optimism’ pervading Karaka

Two southern colts with a spring in their step should attract some interest at the Karaka yearling sales.
 
White Robe Lodge has two Ancient Spirit youngsters going on the block at the annual gathering at the Karaka Sales Centre.
 
The first, by Ancient Spirit out of Australian mare Evancho, is in book one starting on Sunday.
 
A second, out of Verdigris, will go up in book two.
 
Wayne Stewart, the long-serving White Robe Lodge stud manager, has been with his team at Karaka since the weekend and is getting a feel for what might lie ahead.
 
"There's been steady interest already," Stewart said.
 
"There's still a lot of optimism around. Our racing in New Zealand, in my lifetime, the prizemoney has never been better.
 
"I think, if you were looking to buy a horse to race, you couldn't get a better time. And the money in Australian racing is really strong, too."
 
There were plenty of Australian buyers already getting a good look at the cream of the crop at Karaka, Stewart said.
 
"The New Zealand Bloodstock guys are saying numbers are the same as usual, so there's no downturn in that respect.
 
"New Zealand horses are performing that well around the world, especially in Australia. Our percentages are staggering, really, compared to what we're breeding."
 
The White Robe colt in book one was a good looker, Stewart said.
 
He is a half-brother to Markus Aurelius, the White Robe-bred gelding whose seven wins included the group 2 Coupland's Mile in 2021.
 
"He's a later foal but he's a lovely type," Stewart said.
 
"He's a good, athletic type of colt.
 
"We know with Ancient Spirit now that it's a case of wait and see, but with the word we're getting and with what we see ourselves, we're pretty confident he's going to do well."
 
White Robe's book two colt is also a promising yearling.
 
"He's just a real trainer's type of horse," Stewart said.
 
"He's a three-quarter sister to Smokin' Romans, and it's been a family we've had a lot of success with.
 
"He's just a nice, well-balanced, athletic horse."
 
Ancient Spirit, the champion three-miler in Italy and Germany, joined the North Taieri stud's stallion roster in 2021.
 
"We're happy with where we're at with Ancient Spirit.
 
"The word we're getting is good and positive, but I guess we just have to wait and see now."