A pair of fillies offered by the Wagga-based Atworthy Park Group topped the Australian Pacing Gold Melbourne Yearling Sale at Oaklands Junction on Sunday.
The top price paid was $112,500 for a lovely Sweet Lou filly out of the multiple Group 1 placegetter Two Times Bettor, who was secured by young Kialla horsewoman Courtney Laker, her brother Shannon and grandmother Carmen Mifsud.
Laker is best known for her association with the Victorian country cups winner Curly James and the Group winning trotter Miss Ohana.
The Downbytheseaside filly from the American mare O Narutac Bella, the dam of three Group winners including Turn It Up, was knocked down for $100,000 to premier Ballarat trainer Clayton Tonkin.
The Atworthy Park Group, managed by Steve Johnson, sold four lots on the day for a total of $267,500. They also sold the top priced trotter, the King Of The North filly from the 2YO Trotting Filly of the Year Banglez, who was secured by decorated Cranbourne horsewoman Jayne Davies for $40,000.
The leading two colts were both consigned by Bruce Edward’s Durham Park, one being by Bettor’s Delight from the American mare Farady Hanover, who was haltered by Bendigo trainer ‘Alby’ Ashwood for $77,500, and the other a Sweet Lou colt from Talk Time, bought by leviathan owner Danny Zavitsanos.
Lot 176, the Pebble Beach filly offered by Steve and Chelsea Dickson’s Melfield Estate to fund and facilitate research for the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance, brought $25,000 on the bid of Matthew Purcell.
The sale grossed $1,407,000 for 59 lots sold for an average price of $23,847.
“We’re extremely pleased with how the Melbourne Sale unfolded. There was growth across the board with more vendors, more yearlings, more buyers, a stronger clearance rate, improved averages and competitive bidding on the top lots. It’s a clear sign that the Victorian market is moving in the right direction,” APG General Manager Anthony Essex said.
“Harness Racing Victoria’s support, particularly through the Vicbred Owner Voucher scheme, made a tangible difference. More than 20 vouchers were used on sale day, which demonstrates the appetite buyers have to reinvest back into quality stock.
“Our partnership with HRV continues to go from strength to strength. We’re committed to the future growth of the industry and will again be sponsoring the APG Vicbred Super Series next season as we continue working together to grow participation and prizemoney opportunities in Victoria.
“We’d also like to sincerely thank everyone who came out across the sale weekend. It was fantastic to see a full auditorium and such strong engagement right throughout the day. The quality of the yearlings on offer was outstanding and that’s a real credit to our vendors, who put an enormous amount of work into preparing their horses for sale,” Essex said, while adding there were still a small number of lots available for purchase.
The three best presented colts at the sale parade were all prepared by Monique Burnett’s Grand Lodge, Forbes, they being the Art Major-Liberty Crest (1st), Art Major-Lady Dynamo (2nd) and Ride High-Song For Mira (3rd).
The best presented filly was the Downbytheseaside- Dannemora filly, prepared by Gary and Louise Toulmin’s Oakbank Estate, who also prepped the third placed Sweet Lou-Major Grace miss. The Art Major-Bronski Macarena filly, prepared by Burnett, finished runner-up.
The winners received products from International Animal Health and Garrard’s Horse & Hound. The APG Best Presented Judge was Rebecca Lund, the honorary chair of the Standardbred Pleasure and Performance Horse Association of Victoria.
