Trish Dunell
Upper Bloodstock business partners Andy Lau, Ross Lao and Tristan Hui created sunshine on a rainy day at Karaka when they snapped up a flashy Per Incanto colt for the session’s top price.
The partners went to $200,000 to secure the youngster consigned as Lot 885 from the Highden Park draft.
Having secured three colts during the Book 1 sale, the partners had been active inspecting individuals throughout the day despite inclement conditions, including driving rain for long periods, forcing many to seek shelter wherever possible.
“We didn’t slacken off at all as we were inspecting horses even when it was raining hard,” Lao said.
“We’re here for business and that’s what we were concentrating on.
“This was a really nice horse by a sire that has been performing well in Hong Kong.
“We saw him yesterday and have been back many times during the day. He was the one we wanted.”
Little Avondale Stud principal Sam Williams was beaming when questioned about the impressive performance of resident stallion Per Incanto during the sale.
The son of Street Cry had 12 individuals sell during the Book 1 session for a total $1.915 million, at an average price of $159,583.
“He has had an absolutely massive sale so far,” he said.
“I’ve been telling people for five years about what a good stallion he is. His performance off a $15,000 service fee is the perfect illustration.
Williams admitted timing was often everything in the scheme of things and something that Per Incanto progeny had delivered in spades before the sale.
“He had Lanciato win a stakes race in Australia just 24 hours before the sale started which was just gold,” he said.
“That really reinforced to the Australian buyers that he is a serious horse they should be looking at.
“He currently has two very nice horses doing the business in Hong Kong which also has him on the radar for the Asian buyers.
“I think that he will keep getting stronger and stronger especially with the progeny of some quality mares coming through over the next few years.” – NZ Racing Desk