POPULAR New Zealand auctioneer Steve Davis has flown into South Africa for another stint on the Emperor’s Palace Yearling Sales rostrum with SA’s most famous sale kicking off at 11am on Friday, reports DAVID MOLLETT in Racing Express.

Interviewed on Tellytrack’s ‘World Focus’, Steve said recent sales in Australia had produced more than satisfactory turnovers and that he was optimistic there would be strong demand for the right article at Germiston.  He said: “One of the most important factors at any sale is the clearance rate – if you can get the horses sold, the  battle is won.”

Steve has built up a great rapport with both vendors and buyers and – on this his 12^th visit – insists that he considers it important that “buyers take home the one they want – not necessarily the one that’s cheaper”.

Over the years, vendors will be well aware that they probably owe Mike de Kock “booze for life” with his overseas exploits – mainly in Dubai just a few weeks ahead of the sale – getting people in the right frame of mind to wave their catalogues.

Mike’s comment after Vettel won at Turffontein last Saturday (surely an omen for the Bahrain Grand Prix 24 hours later!) that “I’m bullish about the sale – I believe there are good horses that can be bought” – will be more sweet music to the ears of vendors.

He added:  “The TBA have certainly brushed up their act. When I went to the complex yesterday, I thought I was in the wrong place!”

The 467-strong catalogue – the decision not to have one of 600 has been well received – includes full-brothers to international stars Zanzamar, Captain’s Lover and Lizard’s Desire, as well as half-sisters to Hunting Tower and Tiza.

There will be a staggering 67 stallions to choose from, so we’ll see if the usually “reluctant to experiment” National Yearling Sales buyers can be tempted to dip their toes into new waters.