Inglis VOBIS Gold Sale inspections are in full-swing with leading vendors Chatswood, Swettenham, Blue Gum, Eliza Park, Three Bridges and Rosemont at Oaklands.

Down in Barn A, Ballarto Lodge studmaster Ian Pankhurst is also busy parading his 7 lots including two fillies and a colt by Magnus.

Pankhurst sold Magnus sprinter Malaguerra for $32,000 at the 2013 VOBIS Gold Sale and he will be gunning for a Group 1 in the All-Aged Stakes at Randwick this Saturday.  Trained by Lee Freedman, he has earned over $432,000 coming off wins in the LR Bob Hoysted Stakes (1000m) at Flemington and G3 Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill.

“Malaguerra is a pin-up horse for the VOBIS Gold Sale and he looked a class act while being prepped as a yearling,” Pankhurst recalled.  “He was nice and correct and we were happy to get $32,000 from Lenny Russo who as acting as agent for Bruno Micalizzi.

“He’s from the Tennessee family and all those mares cross beautifully with Danehill stallions.  He was bred by John Dickson and Lyn Armanasco at Sandown Lodge after we advised them to send his dam Tennessee Morn to Magnus.

“She was an older mare at the time and we didn’t want her to travel too far from Pakenham.  Magnus was suitable and we walked her on at Eliza Park.”

Ballarto Lodge has a Magnus filly (Lot 33) from Moonee Valley winner Keluca (Keltrice).  “She’s in the Magnus mould,” Pankhurst said.  “She’s strong and feminine and a beautiful walker.”

The Magnus colt from Soft Cell (Lot 121) was accepted but withdrawn from Premier 2.  “I thought it would be better waiting for the VOBIS Gold Sale,” Pankhurst continued.  “He’s got plenty of bone and is a real athlete.  He’s the second foal of the mare – her first Super Sell won at Bennalla earlier this season.”

MALAGUERRA