There was much to celebrate at the Inglis complex Wednesday, as the flagship
Easter Sale continued to show positive gains during its second session. A total
of 251 yearlings have been sold at the Newmarket complex for an average of
A$241,394, up nearly 10 percent on 2010 results.
“To have an average up nearly
10 percent is a very satisfying result at this stage,” Inglis Managing Director
Mark Webster said. “The clearance rate today was a little disappointing, but, as
yesterday’s figures show, it can be expected to improve as post sale
negotiations are completed.”
Webster added, “Buyers should note that there’s
still a great opportunity to secure a future champion at (Thursday’s) closing
session.”
A 57-lot first session Thursday will be followed by Session II of the
sale.
Wednesday’s topper, a half-brother to superstar Black Caviar (Bel
Esprit) by Cafe Prince, was hammered down to Hawkes Racing, who won
a spirited bidding duel with Peter Moody. Sold by Rick Jamieson’s Gilgai Farm
and consignor Makybe as Lot 277, the colt brought A$1,025,000.
“It
seemed like A$600,000 was going to do it, but the two boys obviously wanted him.
I’m thrilled to bits,” Jamieson said.
Hawkes Racing is made up of the trio of dad John and sons Wayne and Michael
Hawkes. The Hawkes train Black Caviar’s younger full brother Moshe, who
has won three of his four career starts, including a handicap at Moonee Valley
on March 18. Wayne Hawkes said his team had had an eye on the colt for some time.
“We saw him at Makybe six weeks ago and then, when we saw him again last week,
he’d just jumped out of the ground,” Hawkes said, “We know the family
obviously, having Moshe, and everyone knows Black Caviar.”
Perfect in her 11
starts, Black Caviar picked up her fourth straight Group 1 victory in the March
25 William Reid S. The Hawkes were also pleased to get a graduate of Tony
Santic’s Makybe operation.
“Everyone doing form looks at the strike rate of
trainers and we do the same when we are looking at vendors,” Wayne Hawkes said.
John Hawkes started his career as a jockey and trainer in 1971, but opted to
hang up his helmet when Australia stopped issuing dual licenses at the end of
that season. A year later, he boasted his first champion in Toltrice (Matrice), and he has since conditioned numerous
champions, including two Australian Horse of the Year honorees, the great
Octagonal and his son Lonhro. Hawkes was elected to Australia’s Racing Hall of
Fame in 2004, but, according to his
website, he still gets to the barn at 4 a.m. on a daily
basis.
Hawkes established a training
partnership with his two sons in 2008, but Wayne has worked alongside his father
since the mid-90s. Michael handled a string in Brisbane before returning to
Sydney three years ago.
“I suppose you could say dad is the brains and Wayne and
I are the youth,” Michael said on the website. “I think it is a pretty good
partnership. We are lucky we have each other.”
For complete results, please visit
www.inglis.com.au.