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Martin and Howard got to $145,000 for a filly from a family they know well
Denise Martin gave a nice push for one of the first starters in the opening event on Wednesday's Launceston Cup Day program just minutes into Monday's Tasmanian Yearling Sale.
Martin and Randwick Bloodstock's Brett Howard paid $145,000 for a colt by Needs Further from a family that the successful syndicator knows well.
The colt is out of Arenzano, who is the dam of four-time winner Emily, a daughter of Wordsmith, and Needs Further gelding Durazzo, who will become Arenzano's third to race when he steps out for Barry Campbell at Launceston.
Durazzo, a $97,500 buy at the same sale two years ago, has won three trials and played a part Howard and Martin stumping up for the Armidale Stud-prepared colt.
"I suppose you could say we've got a little bit of inside information," Howard said.
"Barry's got a very good opinion of Durazzo and I'd said to Denise that I thought this colt was a nicer colt than Durazzo.
"So, if Durazzo's got good ability, hopefully this colt has got even better ability."
The Needs Further colt became the fourth most expensive yearling sold at the Tasmanian Yearling Sale behind a Snippetson filly who sold for $160,000 in 2017 and $150,000 sale-toppers in 2021 and 2022.
Arenzano, who also carried the Star Thoroughbreds colours in a career that netted eight wins from 19 starts, is a daughter of Not A Single Doubt who counts Super Seth as a member of her extended family.
"I don't go out of my way to buy horses Denise had some sort of connection with, they've got to be nice horses to start off with," Howard said.
"I liked Emily as a yearling and, hence, I was happy to say to Denise I think you should try and buy Emily and then obviously Durazzo was a lovely yearling as well but I think this is the best foal the mare has had so I think the price reflects that as well."
Howard and Martin's big buy was the early standout in a strong start to the sale with John Foote paying $75,000 for a filly by Darley shuttle stallion Ghaiyyath, while a Nicconi filly and Needs Further colt sold for $70,000 each in the first 90 minutes of selling.
