The decision to send two colts to Sydney for the Inglis Ready To Race Sale has been chalked up as a success.
The Savabeel - Dubonnet and Ocean Park - Lagonissi colts had been earmarked as Ready To Race prospects and had their breaking in, early education, breeze-ups and sale prep completed in New Zealand before travelling to Sydney for the auction.
Due to COVID-19 enforced travel restrictions, the care of the two colts once landed across the Tasman was entrusted to Jo and Greg Griffin of Lime Country Thoroughbreds.
That trust was not misplaced with both colts presented in immaculate condition at the sale and both selling in the ring.
First to enter the auditorium was Lot 36, the Ocean Park colt out of Lagonissi. He was knocked down to one of the best judges in the business in Guy Mulcaster for $70,000 and is sure to get every opportunity racing from the stable of Chris Waller.
Lot 220, the Savabeel x Dubonnet colt, had understandably attracted plenty of attention pre-sale which was realised in the ring after Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young came out on top in a bidding duel to secure the quality colt for $310,000.
The Busuttin-Young team are renowned for their success with kiwi-bred horses, particularly those by champion sire Savabeel such as Sangster who they trained to Gr.1 Victoria Derby success, and Albarado who will step out as a leading hope in this year's edition of the three-year-old classic.
"He was very popular during the inspections and was probably the second most inspected horse in our draft," Jo Griffin said of the Savabeel - Dubonnet colt. "I guess timing is everything in this game and I think with Albarado winning a Group Three over the weekend would have helped his popularity."
Trelawney Stud's attention now turns to the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run sale where they will offer one colt under the Ohukia Lodge banner. Lot 262 is a Savabeel colt out of Lady Sayyida who is a half-sister to Ocean Park.