A Commands gelding out of Bluebird mare Oh So Discreet made top price of $5.20 million at the Hong Kong International March Sale on Saturday.

Held on the eve of the BMW Hong Kong Derby, the 2YO Sale saw an 11% increase in average to $3.30 million.

Trainer Tony Cruz will prepare the sale leader for owner Wong Shing Ngai.  The athletic looking gelding is a half-brother to G1 winner Maybe Discreet (SAJC Oaks) and G3 winner Just Discreet (SAJC Spring Stakes).

He first changed hands for $140,000 at the 2012 Magic Millions National Foal Sale  and again for $425,000 at the 2013 NZB Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka.  Ascot Farm’s Bruce and Maureen Harvey were the successful pin-hookers.

“All in all it was a good sale,” HKJC executive director of racing Bill Nader said.  “We had a couple of sires relatively new to Hong Kong, like New Approach so there was a good balance in the catalogue, which gave the buyers plenty of choice.

“We have always said this is not a money-making exercise, that it is about providing quality horses for our members and owners to buy, and overall, if we factor in all the costs around this and last December’s sale, it’s just about a break even for the Club this season and hopefully a win for the owners.”

The 15 geldings that changed hands are listed under AUD prices

742,857   Commands – Oh So Discreet (Bluebird)
600,000  O’Reilly – Escada (Centaine)
600,000  High Chaparral – Bombay (Encosta De Lago)
571,429   New Approach – Hope Island (Titus Livius)
528,571   O’Reilly – The Dazzler (Centaine)

500,000  Keeper – Sara Ann (Stravinsky)
471,429   Fastnet Rock – Distinctly (Sadler’s Wells)
428,571   Encosta De Lago – Aqua d’Amore (Danehill)
428,571   Holy Roman Emperor-Dance Avenue (Sadler’s Wells)
385,714   Dansili – Heaven Sent (Pivotal)

385,714   Oratorio (Ire) – Cape Columbine (Diktat)
385,714   Oratorio – Showcall (Kingmambo)
385,714   Encosta De Lago – Delphi Lodge (Fusaichi Pegasus)
357,143   Invincible Spirit – Sell Out (Act One)
300,000  Bernardini – La Sizeranne (Stravinsky)