If you wanted to get on board a bargain, the QTIS 600 sale on the Gold Coast was the place to be.
Some vendors felt a little bit shell shocked because their expectations were too high going into the sale.
Buyers were definately looking for certain types and they were looking in a certain price range.
If you had what they wanted - they paid. The top side of the sale was better than the last session and I think buyers were prepared to let horses go that they didn't want.
But when you look at the three key positive factors coming out of the two days, I don't think you can be unhappy.
Those three factors include:
A gross of $7,669,500, up on the $6,135,500 traded at the inaugural sale
The very healthy average of $22,166 - up from $18,424 last year
The clearance rate was 82% up one percent on 2009
They are the indicators of a sale and they were all positive, so I believe it was a good result.
I am confident we can build on that - that we can produce the right horses, improve our stock and this sale will go from strength to strength.
Results over the past three months prove Queensland breeders are heading in the right direction.
Studs from the Darling Downs region have produced four Group One winners since January this year alone.
The top gallopers include one of the Golden Slipper favourites, Star Witness, bred by Ken Turner, New Zealand Group One Railway Stakes winner, Our Gold Trail, a product of Robby Atkinson, Shoot Out originally from Oaklands Stud and the Ron Gilbert bred Wanted.
While these gallopers are making a name for themselves nationally and internationally, the accolades for Queenslanders don't stop there.
The Downs also produced the top six qualifiers for big QTIS 600 race on the Gold Coast - Tough Luck, Steel Dragon, Marking Time, Huff and Puff, Hidden Kisses and Random Orbit.
This is proof and vindication of the improvement of Queensland stock which has been an ongoing process over the past five years and I want to congratulate breeders on their efforts.
These statistics should be applauded by everybody within the Queensland industry.
It proves that Queensland breeders have been investing in broodmares and stallions, but it's an ongoing process and I am sure the results will continue to show the rise of Queensland progeny in the months and years to come.
The implementation of the QTIS 600 scheme has benefited the racing industry as a whole, creating a new buzz and excitement in the Country, Provincial and City areas with the money spread throughout.
QTIS 600 was designed to highlight the quality of Queensland stock and it's done just that.
I hope these factors are considered when the Industry stakeholders review the QTIS 600 scheme, as it is important to look at the positives in this industry.
Everything can be improved if we look at this in the right light and make some changes that are positive, ensuring buyers, vendors and the Queensland industry as a whole benefits.
