By Peter Wharton
Champion trainer Ben Yole secured two of the four highest-priced lots at the 2020 Tasmanian Harness Sale held at Carrick Park last Saturday.
Yole outlaid $17,000 for a Well Said gelding out of the Group placegetter Itz Gemmas Delight, offered by Latrobe studmaster Melissa Maine, and $15,000 for a Betting Line filly out of Western Cheater, on account of Noel Salter, Brighton.
The Well Said gelding is the first foal of his dam, who belongs to the same family as Tasmania’s current top three-year-old Kohanah, the dual Inter Dominion heat winner Devendra, Benediction, Queen Carey and Faithfull Gabby.
While the filly, one of the first crop of USA 3YO Colt of the Year Betting Line, is from the family of Tasmanian Sires Stakes champions in Punt Road Disco, Vinokourov, Ogrady and Boasson Hagen.
Other leading prices at the sale were $16,000 for the Racing Hill colt out of the Granny Smith winner Ark Breeze, offered by Lilydale breeder Shane Hawes and bought by Elderslie horseman Chris Howlett, and $15,000 for the Sweet Lou colt from the Tasmanian Sales Classic winner Lady Elaine, consigned by Michael and Carol LeFevre and purchased by Kempton owner Matt Breward.
Both were the first foal of their dams.
Of the 14 lots offered, eight were sold and six passed-in.
Sales results
Lot 1 – Sold $16,000 – Chris Howlett
Lot 3 – Passed in – $8,000
Lot 7 – Passed in – $10,000
Lot 8 – Sold $6,500 – Ben Yole
Lot 9 – Sold $3,500 – Helen Dornauf
Lot 10 – Passed in – $2,000
Lot 12 – Sold $7,000 – Rob Gillies
Lot 13 – Sold $17,000 – Ben Yole
Lot 14 – Sold $15,000 – Matt Breward
Lot 15 – Passed in – $7,500
Lot 16 – Sold $3,000 – Michael Laugher
Lot 19 – Passed in $4,000
Lot 20 – Sold $15,000 – Ben Yole
Lot 21 – Passed in $3,000
Withdrawn prior to sale – Lots 2, 4, 5, 6, 11, 17 & 18