Gary Alexander
Trish Dunell
Gary Alexander is hoping to turn back the clock with his latest Karaka purchases.
The South African trainer has enjoyed past success with graduates of NZB's National Yearling Sale and he will be going home with three yearlings purchased for clients of his Turffontein stable.
"I haven't been here for 11 years and it's good to be back," Alexander said. "I've had a bit of luck before."
His finest New Zealand success story has been Timber Trader, bought for $47,500 and the subsequent winner of the Gr.1 South African Derby in 2002.
"I've been licensed since 1982 and the years have been good to me," said Alexander, who has sent out over 1500 winners to his credit and more than 100 at Group or Listed level.
"I've got 80 in work and I've won the two big Derbys, two Gold Bowls and two Merchant Handicaps."
Alexander knew exactly what he was after at Karaka and filled his quota over the first three days.
"I was looking for staying types as Turffontein is quite a testing track," he said.
During the Premier Sale, he secured a Mastercraftsman colt out of a half-sister to the Gr.1 NZ Oaks winner Bramble Rose from Wentwood Grange's draft for $55,000 and a Cape Blanco colt consigned by Cambridge Stud for $50,000. He is out of a half-sister to the Gr.1 Australian Derby winner Headturner.
Alexander completed his business during Wednesday's Select Sale when he purchased Highden Park's Rip Van Winkle filly out of Sister Veronica, a two time middle distance winner. She is from the family of Solzhenitsyn, twice the winner of the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap. – NZ Racing Desk.
The South African trainer has enjoyed past success with graduates of NZB's National Yearling Sale and he will be going home with three yearlings purchased for clients of his Turffontein stable.
"I haven't been here for 11 years and it's good to be back," Alexander said. "I've had a bit of luck before."
His finest New Zealand success story has been Timber Trader, bought for $47,500 and the subsequent winner of the Gr.1 South African Derby in 2002.
"I've been licensed since 1982 and the years have been good to me," said Alexander, who has sent out over 1500 winners to his credit and more than 100 at Group or Listed level.
"I've got 80 in work and I've won the two big Derbys, two Gold Bowls and two Merchant Handicaps."
Alexander knew exactly what he was after at Karaka and filled his quota over the first three days.
"I was looking for staying types as Turffontein is quite a testing track," he said.
During the Premier Sale, he secured a Mastercraftsman colt out of a half-sister to the Gr.1 NZ Oaks winner Bramble Rose from Wentwood Grange's draft for $55,000 and a Cape Blanco colt consigned by Cambridge Stud for $50,000. He is out of a half-sister to the Gr.1 Australian Derby winner Headturner.
Alexander completed his business during Wednesday's Select Sale when he purchased Highden Park's Rip Van Winkle filly out of Sister Veronica, a two time middle distance winner. She is from the family of Solzhenitsyn, twice the winner of the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap. – NZ Racing Desk.