VICTORIAN trainer John McArdle paid Tasmanian thoroughbred breeding its biggest compliment in ages when he won two feature races in succession at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart on Sunday.
After his promising three-year-old stayer Methuselah demolished arguably the best field to contest a Tasmanian Derby (2200m) in years, he produced another 2010 sale graduate Kid Kobe to win the $30,000 Betfair Carbine Club 3YO Plate over 1100 metres.
Kid Kobe was almost sold to Asian interests for $500,000 last season.
On Sunday he toyed with his rivals, scoring comfortably from Tango’s Gee Gee and Cambalara.
McArdle paid $30,000 for Methuselah (Savoire Vivre-Dazzling Vintage) at the 2010 Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale in Launceston and his sole bid of $26,000 was enough to secure Kid Kobe (Snippetson-Koba Brightia).
He also had a filly by Savoire Vivre from Rule Britannia knocked down to him at the sale for $40,000 and she was being aimed at this season’s Tasmanian Oaks until she suffered a leg injury.
A full brother to that filly will go under the hammer at this year’s sale as Lot 115.
McArdle declared he would be back for this month’s 2012 Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale to be held at the Inveresk Sales complex in Launceston on February 21 – click here .
For the full 2012 Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale catalogue – click here .