Computer Auctioned For 1500gns

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31277, 25 January 1967, Page 5

Computer Auctioned For 1500gns

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON.

Computer, winner of the January Handicap at Trentham on Monday, was bought for 1500gns at auction yesterday by Mr M. M. Hibbard, of Christchurch.

Computer, which has entered K. J. Thomsons Otaki stable and will run in the Wellington Racing Club- Handicap on Saturday, was sold at the mixed bloodstock sale yesterday on behalf of the Takanini ownertrainer, Mr M. Marinovich.

After 30 years of a fairly active association with racing as a breeder, owner and trainer Mr Marinovich has decided to “take things easy” and it is doubtful if he will ever assemble a team again. Mr Marinovich has had marked success at times with sons and daughters and descendants of Light Opera. He bought this Inflation mare from an estate for 750 guineas in 1946.

Progeny of Light Opera won nearly £12,000 and the ability has been retained by succeeding generations. Mr Marinovich received 13,750 guineas yesterday for 11 lots and refused 6000 guineas for his two-year-old Marygrad, a close second in the two-year-old race at Trentham on Monday. Mr Marinovich had placed a reserve of 10,000 guineas on Marygrad, a half-brother

by Summertime to Mali Peter, Computer and others. The best individual price received by Mr Marinovich yesterday was 2900 guineas for the three-year-old filly by Alcimedes from Operashah (by Pherozshah). The purchaser was Mr J. Shannon, of Melbourne. Mr D. Reed of Adelaide paid 2000 guineas for the nine-year-old mare, Obrana, with her filly foal by Golden Plume. Obrana is a sister to Mali Peter and to Royal Applause, the top ranking two-year-old of her year but which died after a brief stud career.

Light Opera, now 23 years old, brought 500 guineas yesterday, falling to the bid of Mr R. H. Davis, of Rotorua. She has a filly foal by Della Porta and was served by Golden Plume.

Mr R. Ross, of Papakura, went to 1600 guineas for Mala Marina, a three-year-old filly by Chatsworth II from Royal Applause. The filly has placed form. It was not surprising to find that the Adelaide trainer, C. S. Hayes, had bought Velusha, a five-year-old mare by Golovine from Operashah. Velusha is a sister of Kooroshali, which has been a spectacular success as a steeplechaser from the Hayes stable. Mr L. A. Alexander, who received 10,000 guineas for the Alcimedes-Irish Laughter colt at the yearling sales, switched to a buyer’s role yesterday when he paid 1000 guineas for Sunny Bay, winner of three races in the Marinovich colours.

Mr Alexander’s purchase is an 11-year-old mare by Gold Nib from Langmor (by Lang Bian). She has a colt foal by Beau Diable and was served by Golden Plume.

A few minutes later Mr A. Smith of Adelaide paid 1250 guineas for Sunny Bay’s two-year-old colt by Sunny Time (by Summertime).