Canterbury trainer Trent Yesberg hopes to cap a big week by winning tomorrow's Waikouaiti Cup at Oamaru with Airpark Flyer.
Yesberg prepared a massive draft of 19 horses who went under the hammer at the national yearling sales in Christchurch on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Bidders were keen to get their hands on the horses offered under the horseman's Ripple Creek banner.
Just one of his 19 yearlings was passed in.
Yesberg said that was one of the most pleasing parts of what he said was a successful sale.
"I think that is the most important thing, the clearance rate.
"For my lot it was really good and I am really happy with the way things went.''
Yesberg's draft was headed by the Sweet Lou colt from Rocknroll Hanover mare, Wantapieceofme, who sold for $85,000.
The horse was purchased by Lincoln Farms and will join trainer Ray Green's powerful team of young horses.
"To get $85,000 was a good result.
"It all helps if they go to good trainers and do a good job. It is just as important if you're a preparer or a breeder or owner.''
Yesberg achieved another strong result with a Father Patrick colt from Hot Pants, who sold for $50,000.
The trainer will attempt to seal a successful week when his tough stayer, Airpark Flyer, runs in the Waikouaiti Cup.
Yesberg said the race was not originally was not on the horse's agenda.
But, that does not mean the 5yr-old will not strip in top order for the event.
"He is coming to the end of a long season and he recovered that well after Amberley I just though I would throw him in.
"I think he will be primed and ready for the occasion.''
Airpark Flyer ran a good second to Alta Maestro in his most recent start in the Amberley Cup at Rangiora.
That helped the horse put a disappointing prior start at Marlborough behind him.
Yesberg said the uncharacteristically poor performance was came after the horse backed up quickly on the West Coast Christmas circuit.
"He was definitely disappointing. He had never let us down before.
"I think it was the combination of having two really tough runs on the coast.
"Two two-mile [3200m] slogs on the grass, even though they were three weeks before that, it might have just been too much for him.
"So, we freshened him up for Amberley and he went a really good race.''
Airpark Flyer's Marlborough defeat came at the hands of grass-track specialist Clasina Maria.
The Paul Young trained-mare won both the Marlborough Cup and Cup Prelude last month.
Airpark Flyer turned the tables on her when he beat her home by nine lengths in the Amberley Cup.
Doitson also ran in all three of those recent races Clasina Maria has contested and looks a solid chance in tomorrow's event.
Yesberg also starts Frankie Jones in race 6 and Bush Man in race 8 at tomorrow's meeting.
Bush Man was unlucky in his most recent start at Methven when locking wheels with another runner in the straight.
"He is in good form and he will be pretty hard to beat at these next few grass-track meetings.''
Bush Man ran second to Frankie Jones in his previous start.
Frankie Jones will be aiming for back-to-back wins tomorrow.
"He could be a smoky. I am really happy with him.''
