The
92nd edition of the New Zealand National Yearling Sale kicked off at
Karaka on Sunday evening with Deputy Prime Minister, the Right Honourable
Winston Peters, advising the large crowd on hand that the government was
working on several initiatives to provide a major boost to the local racing
industry.
Whilst making it clear that no major announcements were in the offing, Peters
outlined intentions for the government to work with Treasury and the Inland
Revenue Department to clarify the rules and regulations around bloodstock
write-downs and taxation issues.
He believed agency interpretations were hampering Industry efforts in those
areas since they were changed under his watch when last in government.
Peters also reiterated the need for serious changes within Industry structures
to ensure cost reductions were passed on to the benefit of key participants
such as horse owners and punters through increased prizemoney and the associated
flow-on effects.
Peters also indicated that work was underway to introduce one or more
artificial racing surfaces for the thoroughbred industry although locations and
the timing of the developments were still to be confirmed. Peters expected more
details would be available once the government finalised its first budget in
May.
With one hundred lots on offer on the new Sunday evening session of the sale,
bidding was steady early on until Lot 10, a Tavistock filly from Sir Patrick
Hogan's last draft as principal at Cambridge Stud, entered the ring.
From a powerful female lineage that includes champion race and broodmare
Tristalove, the showy bay fell to the $420,000 bid of local bloodstock agent
Bruce Perry who beat out Mike and Paul Moroney to secure the colt.
Purchased for New Zealand clients, Perry was taken by the filly's pedigree
along with her physical presence.
"She has a superb pedigree from a sire that is doing a good job and she was a
great type," he said.
"I've bought her for some Cambridge based breeders, so she will stay here in
New Zealand."
The powerful Asian buying bench also made their presence felt in the opening
stanza with the Hong Kong Jockey outlaying $400,000 to secure Lot 26, a Fastnet
Rock colt offered through the Henley Park draft. – NZ Racing Desk