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Waikato Stud’s new resident Tivaci impressed buyers at Karaka.

The yearlings by Waikato Stud's new resident Tivaci (High Chaparral) impressed buyers during Book 1 at Karaka and the momentum behind him continued into Book 2 with New Zealand jockey turned trainer Quinton Cassidy from Breeze Up Bloodstock going to NZ$140,000 for a colt by the sire. 

Cassidy has been travelling to his China base for seven years and currently heads Tao Gu Gu's training establishment in the country. 

"I train for Mr Gu in China and the potential is really good up there," Cassidy said.

Prior to his time in China, Cassidy worked for Darley in Sydney after beginning his career as a jockey in New Zealand. 

"I actually started my apprenticeship in New Zealand with Graeme Rogerson and Keith Hawtin," he said. "I did all my grounding here before moving to Sydney to work for Darley. I have been in the industry for more than 25 years."

Catalogued as Lot 974, the colt is out of the winning mare Adriatico (Stravinsky), making him a half-brother to Group 3-placed Bobby Dee (Zed), while the colt's third dam is Irish Group 3 winner Aminata (Glenstal), who in turn produced Group 3 winner Swift Gulliver (Gulch) and Listed winner Abderian (Machiavellian). Further back this is the family of Grade 1 winner Kitten's Dumplings (Kitten's Joy). 

"He is a speedy looking type with a nice page. The Chinese like speedy looking horses, so he ticked a lot of boxes," Cassidy said.

"He's by Tivaci, a new season sire, but we were willing to take the risk just on type."

Mr Gu races horses in Australasia and China and Cassidy said he will sit down with his employer after the sale to plan futures of their new acquisitions. 

"We bought a few horses, some will go over to China and some will likely race in Australia and some will race here in New Zealand," Cassidy said.