Acting on behalf of a Hong Kong based client, Baker outlasted a number of
serious contenders to secure the athletic youngster for a final bid of $68,000
from Matamata trainer Andrew Scott, who was the underbidder."There wasn't much petrol in the tank as I definitely had the staggers," said Baker when asked if he had been prepared to bid higher.
"He is a lovely colt, just a wonderful mover with a great temperament.
"We saw him yesterday and he made a real first impression."
The colt will now head back to Hallmark Stud for further development before any decisions on his racing future will be made.
Out of a race winning Keeper mare, the colt was consigned by Whanganui based Grangewilliam Stud, who had earlier sold a Zacinto filly, Lot 1219, for $32,000 along with a Zed colt, Lot 1094, for $24,000.
The colt headed off Lot 1236, an Ocean Park colt from the Haunui Farm draft that sold for $65,000 to Te Awamutu trainer Joe Waldron, for the honour of the day's top price.
Waldron, who prepares another Ocean Park galloper in Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby contender, Flying Feet, admitted he had been desperate to buy the colt.
"He's just a quality horse who looks like a real three-year-old that might even run at two," he said.
"I've got a really nice Ocean Park in the stable in Flying Feet so I'm hoping he can follow in his footsteps.
"I've bought him on spec, so I've got to get him out there on social media to get him sold. If we could win the Derby with Flying Feet then he will look a very cheap horse." – NZ Racing Desk
