1987 sale catalogue will be closely scrutinised

Press, 27 February 1986, Page 32

1987 sale catalogue will be closely scrutinised

By

G. K. YULE

Only horses considered sound commercial prospects will be included in the catalogue for the 1987 National sale of standardbred yearlings to be held in Christchurch on March 9 and 10 next “We do not intend having a formal selected sale,” said the standardbred manager of the auctioneers, Wrightson Bloodstock, Ltd, Mr Paul Davies.

“After this year’s sales we have a pretty good idea of what buyers consider are top commercial lots. Consequently when entries are made they will be closely scrutinised regarding their pedigrees,”

he said. Those owning entries not considered up to the required standard will be given the opportunity of offering their; horses at the Cup week sale in November, where there was a steady inquiry last year, said Mr Davies. z The auctioneers traditionally receive heavier than usual entries for National sales held in conjunction with InterDominion series. Next March the sales will be held between the third and final nights of the Inter-Dominion series at Addington Raceway, with the Great Northern Sale to be held in Hamilton on Thursday, February 5.

Mr Davies is hopeful that there will be a much wider spread of Australian interest in the 1987 sales. Indications before the sale at Addington was that there would be a strong group of buyers from Victoria, but all of them cancelled their trips, with not one lot being sold to that state. There has been a longterm opposition to Victorians buying standardbred horses in New Zealand, most of it stemming from breeders’ organisations which have been responsible for advertising campaigns against facts and figures involving successes in Australia of horses bred in this country.