THIS year’s Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale on Thursday promises to be the best on record following the introduction of a bonus incentive scheme for Tasmanian-bred horses that pass through the sale.
Every yearling that is paid up for the bonus will be eligible to contest races that next season will carry a bonus of $20,000 to the winner and if the yearling purchased at the sale doesn’t make it to the races as a two-year-old he or she will still be eligible for bonuses at three or four years of age.
The 2018 draft might not carry the number of youngsters by the high-end sires of the 2017 sale but it is jam-packed with quality and that should ensure an increase in the average sale price which was just over $20,000 last year.
One lot that is bound to create plenty of action in the ring is a filly by Needs Further from the Last Tycoon mare Tycoon Sali that will be presented as Lot 130.
The filly is a full sister to Our Long Sali that has been heavily backed to win tonight’s Tasmanian Magic Millions 2YO Classic in Launceston (race 2).
Our Long Sali is the $1.45 favourite in the strength of her luckless third on debut in the Alfa Bowl in Launceston two weeks ago.
Lot 130 spent a lot of time in the parade ring at yesterday’s pre-sale viewing at the Inveresk sale complex in Launceston.
The catalogue boasts 137 lots with the first yearling to enter the ring at noon.