Stratum filly highlights Perth Yearling sale

A filly by the young stallion Stratum topped the opening session of the BMW

Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale at Belmont Wednesday evening. West

Australian- based owner Sally Martin acquired the Gervase Park Stud youngster

for A$160,000. Lot No. 28, who is out of Beyond Me (Bakharoff), was one of three

yearlings to sell for over A$100,000 during a session where just 90 youngsters

were cataloged.

Also breaking the six-figure mark was a Starcraft (NZ) filly purchased by BC3

Australia for A$117,500. Sold by New South Wales nursery Riverslea Farm, Lot 56,

who is out of Chinese Whispers (Woodman), will ultimately head to this year's

National Horses in Training Sale on the Gold Coast. Rounding out the topping

trio was a filly out of Atavism (Hennessy) by Pearl of Love. The filly, offered

as Lot 17, was snapped up by Trevor Andrews for A$102,500.

Among interstate buyers active during the first session were Tony Noonan,

Andrew Noblet and Leon Macdonald, while the overseas charge was led by KL Chong

from Malaysia with three purchases.

More than A $2,328,500 was traded on 58 yearlings, with an average price of

A$40,147. The clearance rate was 70 percent.

"Obviously, the average has come back this year and we did expect that,"

Magic Millions Managing Director David Chester said. "The smart buyers are here

-- locals, interstaters and plenty from overseas. They are getting exceptional

value. This is without doubt the best line up of yearlings I have seen in Perth,

and to get them at this year's prices is a great result for buyers.

"As was the case with the Conrad Jupiters Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast in

January, there were a number of yearlings that far exceeded their reserve price

when fought over by a number of bidders.

"There are some cracking yearlings to come over the next couple of days,"

Chester added in regard to the remaining two sessions. "We're hoping to lift the

clearance rate over the next couple of days."

The second and third sessions kick-off Thursday and Friday, respectively.