The premier yearling sale of standardbreds began on a promising note in Christchurch yesterday with an average price of $25,321, compared with $28,646 for the two days last year, a decrease of 10%.
"It was a very strong sale and followed on from the pattern at the sale in Auckland on Saturday," Bruce Barlass, the standardbred representative of auctioneer PGG Wrightson, said.
He said the clearance rate was 77% (83% last year).
"Traditionally day one of the premier sale is slow and I have a feeling the clearance rate and average will lift on the second day."
The second day of the sale is today and the final day tomorrow. A total of 536 yearlings are in the catalogue.
The top price yesterday was $100,000 for a Christian Cullen-Mainland Reign colt bought by Kevin Hickman, of Christchurch, The colt was offered by Mr and Mrs A. D. Douglas, of West Melton.
•Petra's Star, winner of three of her four starts, has joined the Ashburton stable of Simon Adlam.
Petra's Star, who is engaged at Addington on Thursday night, has won a heat of the Southland Oaks at Invercargill and a mile at Winton in 1.56.9 when trained at Winton by part-owner Dan Cummings.
She finished seventh in a heat of the Sires' Stakes at Ashburton at her last start on February 7.
Alien Waits, an acceptor at Addington, is now trained by Phil Williamson at Oamaru. Alien Waits has won six races from the Cambridge stable of Nicky Chilcott.
The 5yr-old Sundon gelding finished second to Mystic Sun at Addington on January 31.
•Auckland Reactor will continue his Auckland Cup preparation with a race in a free-for-all on Thursday.
His stablemate, Lancome, is in the $30,000 Graduette for 2yr-old fillies.
Lancome won at Addington last Friday when having her first start for Mark Purdon and Grant Payne.
Lancome, a daughter of Courage Under Fire-Laurent Perrier, was a $40,000 purchase by Studholme Bloodstock at the premier yearling sale.
She was sold by breeder Jack Smolenski.
Results of trials at Methven on Saturday. -
Qualifying test, pacers, 2400m: Master William R May 1; Spoilt For Choice 2; Rachael's Lass 3.
Six started. 7L, 12L. Time, 3.17.8 (two qualified). Trainers, D and S Breed.
0w pacers, 2400m (first heat): Nothingsweetaboutme G Hunt 1; Kipps VC 2; Greg Murfie 3. Seven started. L, 1L. Time, 3.15.6. Trainer, G Hunt.
Second heat: To Ri Dette S Adlam 1; Kay Force 2; Kiwi Ali 3. Eight started. Nk, 1L. Time, 3.21.6.
Trainer, S Adlam.
0w trotters, 2400m (first heat): Major Domus L O'Reilly 1; Zoom On 2; Tip Toe Ado 3. Five started. Nse. Time, 3.22.1. Trainer, J Clementson. Second heat: Sea Spray Cindy C Markham 1; Annihilator 2; Three By Two 3. Five started. Nk, 3L. Time, 3.21.1. Trainer, C Markham.
1w+ pacers, 2400m: Mr Molly 30 R May 1; Lively Kitten 10 2; Hey Diduknow. Seven started. Nk, 3L. Time, 3.13.2. Trainer, B Waldron.
2-3w trotters, 2400m: Brylin Paige K O'Reilly 1; Elrae Rock 2. Two started. Nk. Time, 3.27.6. Trainer, S Williams.
