Together, they bred Fibonacci who was all set to bring them a massive payday in Australia last year before a scoping problem resulted in them bringing the son of Per Incanto home.
At his fourth race day appearance on Monday, the Mercer-trained three-year-old
opened his winning account for them at Otaki."Stephen owned the mare Da Vinci Code and we went 50/50," Little Avondale's Sam Williams said.
"The first foal by Per Incanto was one of four I took to the Sydney Classic Sale and she made $A90,000 and Per Incanto was the second leading sire there.
"The mare went back to the stallion and the result was Fibonacci, who we also took to Sydney. He went through the ring and made $A310,000.
"We had him scoped in the morning and he was as good as gold, but it was a very hot day and he failed the scope afterwards so the sale was off. We had him scoped the next day and under the conditions of the sale he passed."
Fibonacci placed on debut last season before he finished fifth in the Listed Wellesley Stakes, after which he was turned out
"We thought he would win the Wellesley, but he drew wide and he was a bit weak – he's just needed some time to mature," Mercer said.
With Little Avondale, he will offer Fibonacci's brother (Lot 638) during the Select Sale next year.
"We also sold a Pins colt out of the mare at Sydney for $A260,000 and the one going to Karaka is the last foal out of the mare," Williams said. "He's a big, strong colt – he's a pretty imposing horse." – NZ Racing Desk.
