Opening session at Inglis Melbourne off to positive start

Spirited bidding highlighted Sunday's first session of the Inglis

Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale in Oaklands Junction, with top honors going to

Lot No. 129, an Encosta de Lago colt who sold for A$420,000 to Anthony Cummings.

The chestnut colt, produced by multiple Group 3 winner

New Smyrna (Rancho Ruler), was consigned by Blue Gum Farm.

"The colt is a strong, precocious type from a wonderful two-year-old family,"

Cummings said. "He simply has all the qualities you look for in a future Group 1

winner."

The second-highest price of A$400,000 was achieved by lot 98, a filly by Redoute's Choice, who was acquired by Tristarc

Bloodstock. The daughter of Group 2 winner Maze (Housebuster) hailed from the Bellerive Stud

draft. She will be raced by Nick Columb, whose previous stars include Courtza

and Tristarc.

"I purchased Brazen Hussey (Hussonet) from this sale last year and she was a good thing

beaten in the Inglis Premier yesterday," Columb commented. "Meanwhile,

(this)

filly is a typical Redoute's Choice. See what I've written in the catalog?

Lovely athlete. Should run.'"

In all, 177 lots sold for a gross of A$12,840,500 and an average of A$72,545.

"We managed to secure purchasers from throughout South East Asia and South

Africa which, together with our domestic buying bench, saw our average

increase...on last year's figures," William Inglis & Son Director Peter Heagney

said. "While it's tremendous to have the likes of Redoute's Choice and Encosta

de Lago headlining the Melbourne Premier, it's important to remember that no

less than 25 different sires were represented by yearlings which made A$100,000

or more today, while 28 vendors from four states also sold six-figure lots."

He added, "It's a clear indication of the stallion wealth available and

quality of yearlings being presented at Melbourne sales."

The sale continues Monday.