Kia-Ora Stud has an exceptional record with its graduates at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale and manager Alex Kingston is bringing another quality consignment to Oaklands Junction.

South African Horse of the Year Igugu was a Kia-Ora graduate from the 2009 Melbourne Premier.  The Galileo filly sold for $65,000 and earned the equivalent of AUD 1.25 million.

Current-day Kia-Ora yearlings do justice to the illustrious nursery which celebrates its centenary this year.  Kingston accepted the prize for best prepared draft on behalf of Kia-Ora at the 2013 Inglis Easter Sale.

One of the standouts among the Kia-Ora yearlings at the Melbourne Premier is the Not A Single Doubt filly from British-bred winner Abu Zayan (Lot 23).  “She’s a precocious filly and typical of the sireline with a strong forearm and hindquarter,” Kingston said.  “Not A Single Doubt got the Blue Diamond winner last year and that was one of the reasons why we’re taking her down there.”

Another yearling with a Melbourne connection is the filly by Snitzel from USA bred mare Amonistar (Lot 41).  She is a half-sister to Playwright who was a tough handicapper for part-owner and trainer Steve Richards banking over $800,000 up to Group 3 level at Flemington.

The Teofilo – Base Paradise colt (Lot 55) is a half-brother to handy Perth galloper Mr Utopia who won four races during Belmont’s winter season last year.  “He’s an attractive, strong athlete,” Kingston declared.  “His second dam won a Magic Millions 2YO Classic and he looks the type to get up and go.”

Big Brown’s second-crop yearling from Collodi (Lot 118) is a very good looking colt with lots of scope according to Kingston.  “His dam was a good running mare by Testa Rossa and she won at Flemington.”

The Big Browns were popular with trainers selling to $180K at the Magic Millions and $155K at the Inglis Classic.

Another Snitzel in the Kia-Ora draft is the grey filly out of Irish bred mare Davala (Lot 143).  Like most of the Snitzels, she will be an early-comer according to Kingston.

Davala has a 2yo filly named She Brings Hope (Sebring) with Peter Moody.  She cost $50,000 at last year’s Melbourne Premier and was placed in a Rosehill trial in November behind subsequent debut winner Believe Yourself.

The Flying Spur – Fleur De Chine colt (Lot 265) is a big, strong individual from a proven producer.  There’s only room for his first-dam on the catalogue page – Fleur De Chine has foaled 9 winners including G1 Australasian Oaks winner Tully Thunder and NZ Listed winner Sufficient.  He will appeal to the local market and buyers from Asia and South Africa.

Kingston nominated the Northern Meteor – Modellista filly (Lot 402) as the pick of the Kia-Ora yearlings in Melbourne.  “She’s got a powerful hind-quarter and all-round good looks to back up the pedigree.  Her dam’s Encosta de Lago filly sold to South Africa for $110,000 at last year’s Melbourne Premier.”

Modellista is a sister to Fashions Afield who was a Group 1 winner as a two and three year-old at Randwick.

A first-crop colt by Champion USA stallion Congrats out of No Fear No Favour (Lot 422) also owns an exceptional pedigree.  “He’s a neat colt that is clean in the legs,” Kingston said.  “He moves really well and should prove popular given he’s from the family of Brave Prince, Timbourina and Media.”

The Sebring – Sierra Leone filly (Lot 552) received a further update over the Xmas – New Year holidays when her 3yo Street Sense half-brother Sumitro won first-up for David Payne at Scone.

“He’s a big colt with plenty of scope,” Kingston predicted.  “Another of the mare’s earlier foals is a Danzero gelding named Smiling Happy and he has won over $220,000 to date in Macau.”

The Kia-Ora draft for the Melbourne Premier will be available for inspection in Barn A at Oaklands sales complex.