Hong Kong buyers were out in force during at the NZB 2YO Sale on Wednesday and among the high-priced targets were sons of Press Statement and Headwater.
Vinery’s first-season sires finished with ‘personal best’ sale bids of $420,000 at Karaka. They were both sold by Riversley Park’s Sam Beatson and finished equal second on the leader-board during trade on Day 1.
The 2YO Sale was also a PB for Beatson who dominated with 7 lots in the Top 10. “I couldn’t have asked for more and it exceeded our expectations,” he said. “We knew we had a nice line-up of horses, but to get that sort of money for them was fantastic.”
The Press Statement – Karata colt was bought by trainer Dennis Yip and the Headwater – Red Duchez gelding is another bound for Hong Kong after being purchased by Magus Equine agent Willie Leung.
Pin-hooked for $165,000 at Melbourne Premier in March, the Press Statement is from a daughter of Australian Horse of the Year Let’s Elope and will head off-shore after six months in New Zealand.
“Hopefully, he will develop in a Hong Kong Derby horse,” Yip said. “He’s from a staying family and looks very strong.”
The Headwater caught the eye with the fastest breeze-up (10.30s) at Te Rapa last month and Leung had to beat off some spirited opposition on behalf of owner Maurice Koo Win Chong who races Group 1 sprinter Mr Stunning.
“He is a lovely horse and will be trained by Frankie Lor,” Yeung said. “He’s very athletic and breezed up really well. There were some other Hong Kong trainers on him so I had to pay a bit more than expected.”
The Karaka returns were major mark-ups for Press Statement and Headwater who both stand for $16,500 service fees at Vinery.
Vinery legend More Than Ready also figured in the Top 10 with Kilgravin Lodge’s colt from Mineko (Fastnet Rock) selling for $280,000. Purchased by Cypress Point Agistment, he will likely trial for Byerley Park trainer Jenna Mahoney before transferring to Hong Kong.
“He’s a nice, correct colt who is definitely going to grow into an athletic racehorse,” Mahoney predicted. “He looks like a sprinter-miler and we like the More Than Readys because he’s a consistent sire and this colt is from an up-and-coming family.”
Vinery sires dominated in Hong Kong on Wednesday evening with Hardly Swears (All Too Hard), Naboo Star (Casino Prince) and Shining Ace (Testa Rossa) all saluting at Happy Valley.
