Trotting bred graduates of this weekend’s 2022 Neds APG Melbourne Yearling Sale will be eligible to contest APG’s exciting new $125,000 2yo Trotting Final, to be conducted at Menangle in the later stages of the 2023 Racing Season; Heats will be run in NSW & VIC, with the four best performers from the Victorian heats and the four best performers from the NSW heats progressing through to the finals.
With only days until the action kicks off we caught up with Michael Taylor ( the man that was the driving force behind the race concept ) of Trotters Australia.
The Yearling Trotters open the day at 11 a.m. with the first 35 lots and judging by the videos they have set a high benchmark. The Trotters Australia team under the care of top preparer Monique Burnett & her family have come up looking sensational. Thanks to the teams at Neds- APG the incredible $125,000 two year old Final & the new juvenile Feature Races for trotters on HRV’s Calendar, buyers can head to Oaklands Junction from this Friday to inspect Monique’s awesome draft.
We asked Taylor for the lowdown on the Trotters Australia team. ‘There’s honestly not one that I don’t like, and they all read very well on the pedigree page. The sires I selected have all done their jobs superbly and I’m excited to present the first foals (all colts) of three highly credentialled new mares, Rift Valley, Sky Majesty & Sunny Avenue. Monique’s favourite has been the Sky Majesty – What The Hill colt (Lot 103) right from the start. He’s the only yearling in the Sale by What The Hill. He’s athletic & intelligent.’ Sky Majesty was placed in two Breeders Crown Finals & is a daughter of Triple Oaks winner, Mystic Hush.
The other two colts are both by the all-conquering Majestic Son sire of both current Australian & the NZ Trotters of the Year. Taylor is keen on the Sunny Avenue colt (Lot 110) who is closely related to Winterfell, a former NZ Trotter of the Year & Blake Fitzpatrick’s talented Caligula. Both are by Majestic Son. Sunny Avenue is also a half-sister to Ushaka Bromac ($144k), dam of last year’s NSW Oaks winner, Aldebaran Ursula. The Rift Valley colt (Lot 101) is first to step out for the day and Taylor is confident buyers will notice he brings the same professional opening The Rift Valley colt looks every bit a professional like his mother.
Not only does Taylor have the only What The Hill yearling in the sale, he also has the only Father Patrick yearling (Lot 106). Also, a colt. ‘I was concerned about him being the youngest of the team, but he’s really blossomed! He’s come through the photo shoot & the video looking like a future talent. ‘Taylor’s other colt (Lot 125) is by Great Success out of a great producing family. His dam, Lady Mackendon, is a half-sister to the brilliant Sassy Pants. ‘He’s a strong bold moving colt. He reminds me a bit of Sassy Pants!’
Trotters Australia also has five high quality fillies in the Sale. Two are from Centurion ATM who ran the World’s fastest mile as a 2yo. Lot 120 is a half-sister to My Little Comet who made all the major 2yo filly Finals, the Platinum, the Vicbred & the Crown. ‘She’s a powerful looking filly with a great stride!’. Lot 108 by well performed mare, Summerline, (Lot 108) is a favourite of Rita Burnett’s & caught Taylor’s eye from a weanling. ‘She’s an intelligent looking filly and a half-sister to a Group 1 winning 2yo. There’s every reason to expect both these fillies to be early goers’
Monique will also present two Majestic Son fillies for Trotters Australia. Taylor finds them hard to split. ‘They are both real professionals.’ Lot 123 is by Brylin Crescent who held the Melton mile track record and is a daughter of NZ Broodmare of the Year, Another Starlet. Lot 128 is out of Lime And Lemonade who has produced two out of three winners of racing age including promising 3yo Major Creation.
There are four Muscle Mass yearlings in the Sale. Taylor likes the two fillies. His Lot 112 by Susuwe & Lot 127 by Pinevale Ellason, prepared by Pauline Thomson. ‘Both fillies are lovely movers and from great families. They’ll both have excellent future broodmare value.’
So all those looking for a fantastic weekend come and support AUSTRALASIA’S NEWEST, RICHEST & POTENTIALLY FASTEST 2YO TROTTING RACE.
John Coffey has been inspecting all of the Victorian yearlings over the last few months and will be pleased to answer any questions that you may have on the individuals featuring in the sale, or to bid on your behalf. John can be contacted on 0418 500 211.
Corinna Davey (Sales Executive – VIC/TAS ) for International Animal Health https://www.iahp.com.au/ will be on hand to select and to award the most sort after garland and product prizes for the best presented filly and colt. This is going to be a hotly contested event and should not be missed.
Please contact Linda Graham on 0428 955 998 or via email and she’ll be pleased to assist you with your online registrations, pre- bidding sale approvals or to answer any other questions that you may have on your travel and accommodation needs.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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