From an initial nomination of 560 (159 for Auckland and 401 for Christchurch) this has been selected down to 150 in the North Island and 360 in the Southern sale.
The Karaka catalogue is a similar number to last year but the consensus of breeders in the South Island was to reduce the Christchurch catalogue from the 375 offered in February 2016. All entry fees have now been invoiced for payment and vendors have until 1 October to confirm their entries. Christchurch traditionally loses a few at acceptance so the final catalogue could end up between 350 and 360. It was felt that a small reduction just made stabling, selling and transporting in and out a little more comfortable for all concerned.
No surprises which sire has the largest draft. Leading North American and just crowned five times Australasia’s Leading Sire, Bettor’s Delight, has a grand total of 110 yearlings (70 colts and 40 fillies) with 46 to be offered in Auckland and 64 in Christchurch.
Art Major, whose yearlings met with huge demand this year has his largest draft ever with 77, 58 of them to be catalogued in Christchurch. Mach Three who recently topped the Australian Percentage Sires List alongside Bettor’s has 47 on offer, followed by the first season crop of A Rocknroll Dance with 40 yearlings. American Ideal, Auckland Reactor and Sportswriter each have 21 yearlings a piece. Somebeachsomewhere who is well on the way to his third 3yo Sires Premiership in the USA has 13 yearlings and five time NZ Leading Sire Christian Cullen has 12 yearlings (10 colts).
The trotters total 73 nationally (18 in Auckland and 55 in Christchurch), which is marginally down on previous years. Majestic Son dominates the trotting draft with 23 yearlings, followed by Andover Hall with 10, and Angus Hall 7. After that though there is a massive selection with the progeny of 19 individual trotting sires to be catalogued.
Racing information closes off for inclusion in the catalogue from 24 October, Labour weekend, for catalogues to be available in the first week of December.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
