The start of what could be a huge week for White Robe Lodge takes place in the Karaka sales ring today.
The North Taieri horse farm will offer the first of the four yearlings it has entered at the national yearling sales.
A bay colt by Rip Van Winkle from the Yamanin Vital mare Our Zara is scheduled to go through the ring late this afternoon.
Just nine lots later, a bay colt by Ghibellines from Personal Escort mare Personal Column will be auctioned.
White Robe Lodge will offer two more yearlings for sale tomorrow.
They include a bay colt by Ghibellines from Personal Escort mare Upcloseandpersonal.
A chestnut colt by Ghibellines from Yamanin Vital mare Whare Creek will be the last yearling the stud presents at the sale.
Whare Creek is a half-sister to talented racemare Coulee.
Good results in the sales ring could be just the start of a successful few days for White Robe Lodge.
Celebrations began earlier this week when Brian Anderton celebrated a birthday.
The White Robe Lodge proprietor could have more to celebrate on Champions Day at Wingatui on Saturday.
He and son Shane have Tommy Tucker and Gallant Boy entered in the race their stable sponsors, the White Robe Lodge Weight-For-Age.
Tommy Tucker won the $70,000 race last year, with Gallant Boy chasing him home for second.
A shuffling of riders has seen two new jockeys booked for both horses.
Tommy Tucker was ridden to victory last year by Shankar Muniandy, who has recently returned to Malaysia.
The horse's former regular jockey, Jacob Lowry, is also unavailable after he elected to ride rival Boots 'N' All.
Doni Prastiyou, who has been based in Auckland in recent seasons, will reunite with the popular chestnut on Saturday.
Prastiyou rode Tommy Tucker for much of the 2013-14 season and scored two wins with the horse.
Gallant Boy was ridden to second placing in last year's event by Daniel Bothamley.
He will be ridden this year by Terry Moseley, as his regular rider this season, Corey Campbell, is out injured.
Another key riding change has been made for Champions Day.
Leading northern rider, Trudy Thornton, has been booked to ride leading Dunedin Gold Cup chance, Aboli.
Thornton will also ride Kiwi Ida in the White Robe Lodge Weight-For-Age and Superstatic in the Dunedin Guineas.
