Sales dates in turmoil

Press, 30 March 1989, Page 31

Sales dates in turmoil

PA Wellington All was looking rosy over yearling sales dates for next year. Indications were strong that this time round there would not be a repeat of the wrangle over dates for the Magic Million Yearling Sales at Trentham and Wrightson Bloodstock’s National Yearing Sales at Karaka. But then came the bombshell from Wrightson Bloodstock that it would hold its main yearling sales around and during the Wellington Cup meeting — the same time as the Magic Millions Sale was planned. New Zealand Magic Million Bloodstock general manager, Jim Wallace, said yesterday that he was very disappointed at the apparent change of heart by Wrightsons. “Indications that had been given to us were that they would hold their sale in the first full week of February,” Mr Wallace said.

“It seems very strange to us that just three weeks ago their managing director was talking about selling on those dates and

suddenly there has been a complete change. “But I suppose that is a commercial decision they have made and we just have to respond to it in one way or another. -

“It is very disappointing to us that Wrightsons have seen it necessary to come forward on what have been traditionally, in Wellington, sales dates whatever company has been selling there. “At the end of the day the people that are going to suffer most are the breeders and that is something we have constantly tried to avoid. “But it is very difficult to look after the interests of most of the vendors of this country when Wrightsons are being perhaps a little cavalier in their attitude.

“We think that the position we are in, because of the sales-race concept in which we operate, we are locked into Wellington (Racing Club) dates and I think that was very well accepted right through the industry. Consequently we are very disappointed that they have come back and straddled that com-

plete week-end.” The first two days of the Wellington Cup meeting are down for Saturday, January 20, and Monday, January 22 (Wellington Anniversary Day). Wrightson Bloodstock has announced the premier session of the National Sale will be held on Thursday, January 18, and Friday, January 19, with the second session on Sunday, January 21, and January 22. Wrightson’s Waikato Sale is down for January 23 and 24.

Mr Wallace said a response is under way but he would not reveal any details.

“At this stage we are considering all of the options that are open to us and we will issue a statement in the next day or two.

“Really the options are quite limited but I don’t want to pre-empt anything by making any comment.” Wrightson Bloodstock cite accommodation problems resulting from the Commonwealth Games in Auckland as the main reason for the change.

The Games are held from January 23 to Feb-

ruary 3 but the end of the Games does not greatly ease accommodation at major hotels, said Wrightson Bloodstock Auckland manager, Michael Otto. “There are just no beds available at the hotels we need for that week,” he said.

“We just didn’t anticipate the flow-over from the Games would go on into that week. When you look at it not everybody would be able to get a plane out the next day and a lot would choose to stay on and have a bit of a look around and a holiday.”

Mr Otto added that by holding the sales in the first week of February there were complications with Australian racing and sales in Adelaide which last year were staged on February 12 and 13.

“We were getting into a situation where we were going to clash with the Adelaide sales and also that week-end some of the more important Australian racing begins. So there were quite a few major problems that led us to the change.”