Extreme measures –  With Golden Slipper on the horizon, Kennewell takes Book 2 punt

Pakenham-based-trainer Kennewell hopes the long wait is worth it after buying the equal highest-priced yearling in the Book 2 session of the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.

The Group 1-winning trainer returned to the Oaklands Junction complex on Tuesday, the third and final day of the Premier sale, to buy a $220,000 colt by Rosemont Stud’s Extreme Warrior, the same sire as the stable’s Golden Slipper contender External Warrior.

The first crop colt External Warrior was the winner of the Merson Cooper in November, defeating Silver Slipper winner Stretan Ruler. He ran sixth last start in the Blue Diamond Stakes.

Buying in conjunction with Group 1 Bloodstock’s Mathew Becker and SP Bloodstock, Kennewell thought the Book 2 catalogue stacked up well alongside the more select Book 1 offering.

“I won’t quote who said it, but someone said he’s in the top five percent of the whole catalogue of colts and they’re a very good judge that I know and respect, and I felt he was the best colt in the sale, to be honest,” Kennewell said.

“He was not a Book 2 horse and you just had to take that out of your head. The pedigree’s OK, but we go on physicals.

“We want fast two-year-olds and he looks all of that and obviously he had a lot of admirers around the complex for the few days he was here. Importantly he’s also by a stallion that I know very well because obviously our horse is going to the Golden Slipper.” 

The colt, who was sold by Rosemont Stud as agent, is out of Sepoy mare Who’s Zooming Who, making him a half-brother to four-time winner You’re On Mute.

The other Book 2 sale topper, a colt by Zousain, was bought by Taiwan entity Elysian, which also bought a Harry Angel colt at last month’s Inglis Classic Sale.

The Blue Gum Farm-consigned colt is out of Group 3 winner Cavalry Rose and a three-quarter brother to Girl, a five-time-winning Zoustar mare.

Nadia Horne’s Thoroughbred Solutions was the leading Book 2 buyer with six lots purchased  while New Zealand-based South African Mike Marais’ Ozbloodstock, which purchased superstar sprinter Ka Ying Rising as an unraced horse, bought three Book 2 yearlings. 

Fraser Auret, who bred and prepared Ka Ying Rising, also bought three Book 2 yearlings, as did Hong Kong trainer Ricky Yiu and New Zealander Kurtis Pertab.

Tuesday’s trade of $7.154 million took the gross to $68.6 million across the three days, an aggregate that was up $8.5 million year-on-year.