Property will be racing for a spot in the Blue Diamond Stakes on Saturday
A failed veterinary inspection may give Hong Kong-based Price Bloodstock its biggest pay day in Australia.
But first Property must win the males division of the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday to warrant managing director David Price paying the $55,000 late entry fee to run in the 2017 Blue Diamond Stakes.
Price has bought horses the calibre of Silent Witness, Entrapment and Enthused to race in Hong Kong.
He is becoming a big buyer of yearlings in Australia and New Zealand with the aim of selling to clients, firstly in Hong Kong, and then other areas of Asia.
It has proven profitable with 491 Hong Kong winners of the board.
Property was among those earmarked for Hong Kong but he failed to pass a veterinary examination and remained in Australia with trainer Robert Smerdon.
“We get plenty of horses through that are borderline but a little bit of spurring on the middle joint of the knee is not one that gets through,” Price said.
“Hopefully he can hold together as long as he can, but he’s probably going to require surgery at some stage.”
First prize of $120,000 on Saturday will go a way to sealing Property’s start in Blue Diamond at Caulfield on February 25.
“I would say he’s got to win, but I’m happy to leave the door open and make the decision after the weekend, hoping we’ve got that decision to make,” Price said.
“If he self-funds it it will be almost impossible not to and that’s what it really boils down to.
“It was was a conundrum I wasn’t expecting but it’s an interesting one while it’s happening.”
Price has already been active at this year’s sales, buying three yearlings at Magic Millions and a further 21 in New Zealand.
He will be buying again at the Inglis Sydney Classic Sale this weekend and will be at the Inglis Melbourne Premier sale the day after the Blue Diamond.
With the help of noted bloodstock buyer John Foote and trainers Smerdon and Patrick Payne, Price envisages buying 50 or 60 yearlings this year.
“It’s good to have a few different eyes as they all see things a little differently,” Price said.
“At the end of the day there’s plenty of different shapes and sizes winning races.
“I don’t really think you can have all your eggs in one basket.”
