Two lots, one after the other, went a long way to holding the head of yesterday’s first day of selling in Christchurch, at the New Zealand Premier Yearling Sales, above the water.

The consecutive offerings, which sold for a combined total of $345,000, sparked a bit of life into a sale which up until that point had ebbed and flowed at a vicious rate as vendors and buyers struggled to find a common ground on which to meet and cut a deal.

Again it was an Australian influence that led to the biggest sale of the day with Emilio and Mary Rosati going big to secure a Bettor’s Delight colt from the Spreydon Lodge mare, San Rafaella, for an impressive $190,000 after an opening bid of $100,000 was received for the colt.

That was followed immediately by Cran Dalgety getting himself in on some of the action as he went to $155,000 to get the next set of legs that walked into the ring - Rocknroll Arden’s first foal, a colt by Art Major.

After a quiet day at Karaka on Monday, Dalgety who is one of the sales most frequent buyers, stretched the wallet a little further yesterday purchasing four lots - including a standout colt by Roll With Joe who he purchased for $54,000.

“I was drawn to him straight away,” Dalgety said of the son of Roll With Joe.

“He’s a standout colt for sure.”

After a mixed review from Karaka on Monday, where the well-bred sold well and those not so fortunate on the breeding page struggled there was plenty of anticipation about the Riding for the Disabled Arena at the Christchurch Showgrounds.

Without putting some icing sugar on top of things to make it seem pretty, the day felt like a constant battle with lots frequently passed in and struggling to meet reserves with plenty of attendees from all walks of the industry airing their frustrations.

With a clearance rate of just over 72 per cent though, it would appear the majority of vendors were content with what they received for their offerings.

All totaled 112 of the 154 lots offered were sold with 42 passed in although many were later sold through deals after the time in the ring.

Reg Caldow was one who was all smiles as his Bettor’s Delight colt from Star Of Venus was purchased for $110,000.

Jean Feiss, who grabbed Monday’s top lot for $220,000, purchased the colt with it almost a certainty he will join the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen stable.

Purdon himself went to $90,000 to secure the full-brother to exciting pacer, Rakapuka Ruler while All Stars owners, Phil and Glenys Kennard purchased the next three top lots for the day including the full-brother to current top three-year-old Ultimate Machete for $85,000.

“We missed out on one we really wanted at Auckland, so to get what we purchased today is really pleasing,” Phil Kennard said.

“Ultimate Machete’s brother will be owned by the Major Mark group who own Ultimate Machete and we also picked up a Bettor’s Delight colt from My Style for the group who own Lazarus.”

The top trotting lot for the day was $55,000 which Nigel McGrath paid for a Muscle Hill colt from Majestic Kenny.

Selling resumes at lunchtime today with a further 160 lots to be sold.