A first-crop colt by G1 Newmarket Handicap winner Wanted topped Day 1 of the 2012 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Offered by Eliza Park, the colt from NZ bred mare Vestment (Danasinga) was purchased for $117,500 by NSW based breeder Ascot Heath.  Wanted (Fastnet Rock) stands at Eliza Park and his first crop comprised 58 live foals.

In all 142 weanlings were traded at Oaklands Junction on Tuesday for a total gross of $1.30 million.  The average of $9,133 was down 19% from Day 1 last year.

Ascot Heath finished the day as the leading individual buyer, adding Swettenham Stud’s Manhattan Rain-Amouage colt to its hit-list for $57,500.  Agent Paul Willets bought colts by Nicconi ($54,000) and Von Costa de Hero ($18,000) as well as a filly by Perfectly Ready for $10,000.

The Great Southern Weanling Sale continues on Wednesday, May 23 with the second of two days of weanlings.  They will be followed by two days of broodmares and mixed bloodstock.