WIDELY-REGARDED for having a ‘good eye’ for horseflesh, power couple Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin are gearing up for Sunday’s Australian Pacing Gold Sale.
While we can’t reveal which yearlings the pair are looking to secure, Tonkin has shared their routine as they prepare for the bidding wars.
Stewart and Tonkin captured the colts’ and geldings’ division of last season’s APG race series with unbeaten freshman The Storm Inside.
The colt’s APG graduate stablemate, Our Little General, was then triumphant in the Australasian Breeders’ Crown.
Stating the obvious about a potential purchase’s immediate family, Tonkin explained a yearling’s maternal ancestry is also a key factor.
“Naturally if they are related to a star you have a good look at them, but a good maternal family going back is very important,” Tonkin said.
“Once we’ve studied that part of the equation, and selected the ones we are interested in, the next stage is to have a look at them in person.”
Having already conducted their inspections during the past few weeks, Tonkin stated every possible movement, along with conformation, is monitored.
“It’s more than just how good they look standing there,” Tonkin said. “Yes confirmation is high on the list, but watching them move in a paddock offers a few insights to them as well.
“Going over them ahead of the sale, and watching them move, can really point you in the right direction.”
As mentioned, breeding is close to ‘a must’, but Tonkin surprisingly listed the breeder and/or preparer as another decision-making aspect.
“We take into account who is preparing the yearling as well,” Tonkin said. “If the yearling is coming from someone renowned for having them ready for sales, then it just gives you that much more confidence.
“There are so many things to consider and hopefully that increases the odds of getting the right ones.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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