Of all the strange things than happened at Karaka on Sunday the strangest was also the most important.
And that was the final result of a remarkable sale that defied all obstacles to produce a record average nobody could have predicted.
The first day of sales week started ominously with gale force winds, rain and two giant trees falling at the Karaka sales complex, one on to a stabling block, which luckily was not being used and far from the horses.
From those mayhemic scenes rose a magnificent day for the industry even with the challenges of Covid pods of 100 people, which were hardly tested by the even smaller than expected crowds, some staying away because of storms.
But those who came spent and spent at a level never seen in harness racing before in this part of the world.
When the sales ring finally fell silent after 131 lots the average was close to a staggering NZ$62,000, a remarkable 23 per cent up on last year, which it itself was a record.
While there was still some business to be done on passed-in lots, for the average to settle in anything like that region is jaw-dropping, with more than $6 million in horse flesh to have change hands.
“It has been an incredible day,” says NZB Standardbred’s James Jennings.
“We had so many challenges with Covid restrictions and then the weather, but in the end the strength of the catalogue shone through.
“We are over the moon and so proud of what everybody has worked together to achieve.
“The final results are something we couldn’t have thought was possible. Incredibly the median was actually a lot higher than last year’s average, which in itself was a record for an Australasian sale.”
Breckon Farms was the top vendor but there were the usual huge results for Woodlands and Tardina Stud, with the $220,000 first mega lot by Lazarus.
Boutique operation Highfields also had a wonderful sale with five sold lots averaging $81,000 and a top price of $130,000.
While Bettors Delight is still the king there were promising signs for his potential heir apparents in Always Be Miki, Downbytheseaside and Lazarus, albeit with the latter having a small representation. All had colts well into the $100,000-plus range.
But among the fallen trees, divided crowd and huge numbers the story of the day was Stonewall Stud’s $1.3 million spending spree and what it could mean for trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer.
Stonewall boss Steve Stockman looked ready for business in the buyer's box and wasn’t beaten on many, paying $260,000 for the top lot 66, the Bettors Delight colt sold by Breckon Farms.
Stonewall also paid the $220,000 for the ground-breaking Lazarus colt and set the tone early with $190,000 for a Captaintreacherous filly sister to Its All About Faith.
“Steve (Stockman) has been really excited about the sales in the build-up and we put a lot of work in, through the parades and vet inspections,” said trainer Steve Telfer.
“It is every exciting for all of us and we are taking some wonderful horses home.”
The Dunns, under their Diamond Racing brand, were busy with seven purchases while John Street from Lincoln Farms was one of the few all day to better Stonewall for a big lot, paying $140,000 for lot 37, a Downbytheseaside colt, one of four he signed for.
The sales move to Christchurch tomorrow for three more days, with a super strong market set and plenty who missed out on Sunday with ammo still left to fire.
Picture courtesy @nzbstandardbred
Steven Reid had only one regret when Magic Four produced one of the greatest upsets in harness racing history at Alexandra Park on Saturday night.
The previous one-race winner out-toughed Franco Mac but more surprisingly hot favourites Akuta and Franco Indie in the $200,000 Harness Millions three-year-old, the glamour event of a windswept night at Alexandra Park.
The shock was total and absolute, with even Reid admitting he gave the son of Bettors Delight no chance against two of the most hyped three-year-olds of recent years.
Which is where the regret came, that training partner Simon McMullan couldn’t be there to share the biggest win of their joint career together.
“We didn’t think he could beat those top two,” admitted Reid.
“So with a big weekend looking at yearlings and sales on Sunday, Simon stayed home at the stables and to do his prep.
“We will get a chance to celebrate it together for sure but he is kicking himself now.”
Reid joked even winning driver Peter Ferguson would have been happy to have not been at Alexandra Park had the huge upset not occurred.
“I rang Ferg to chat about the race today (Saturday) and when he answered he said, ‘I thought you were ringing to tell me he wa scratched so I didn’t have to drive up'.
“It was that sort of win. We all really like the horse and he had been great here on New Year's Eve but when you are up against two as good as Akuta and Franco Indie you don’t expect to win."
Reid won $200,000+ races before back in the Gold Ace and Monkey King days but they are still a big deal and comes at the perfect time, a reminder to owners purchasing at the sales this week what talented horse people he and McMullan are.
“We don’t have a huge team at the moment so there is room for more.”
Ironically Magic Four had been off to Australia but Reid is hoping after the win he stays on for the Derbys.
So how did the upset happen?
Well, there were no obvious reasons.
There was early pressure on Franco Indie, who was expected to lead easily but he still held that lead. But the burn gave Akuta the chance to get off the markers and he surged to the lead after 600m.
From there the two hot favourites would have been expected to run the quinella but both performed below their best with the trainers having no excuses. It was that sort of race on that sort of night.
The race also had an impact on the market for The Race. Just a few days ago Akuta was the $3.50 favourite but he has now drifted to $6 and Self Assured, courtesy of securing a slot and his win a race later, is into $2.30.
But, as Saturday showed, anything can happen, including a trainer with a manbun winning a $200,000 race and causing one of the greatest upsets in New Zealand racing.
Picture courtesy www.nzharnessracingphotos.com.au
The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the author and may not be attributed to or represent policies of Harness Racing Victoria, which is the state authority and owner of thetrots.com.au.