Trans-Tasman trotting identity Geoff Barnes did the bidding for Purdon, who also attended the first night of the three-day Sale with his longtime Canterbury friend Neil Pilcher. Purdon bought three pacers and a trotter. Seventy five lots went under the hammer of auctioneer and popular Western Australia galloping commentator, Darren McCauley.

Purdon said he wouldn't be attending the Saturday session (Lots 81-155) but he would be represented by Pilcher at the final session on Sunday (Lots 156-354).

Purdon's purchases were:

Lot 35: Sundon - Skye Rocket (Wagon Apollo) colt: $37,500.

Lot 58: Courage Under Fire - Under The Mattress (Safely Kept) colt: $53,000.

Lot 59: Mach Three - Three Eagles (Falcon Seelster) colt: $30,000.

Lot 77: Village Jasper - Nickel Castle (Butler BG) colt: $40,000.

He was especially delighted with the purchase of the Sundon trotter consigned by Tremon Stud in Victoria.

"I thought he looked a class above all the trotters that we saw tonight. He has nice conformation and his dam (Skye Rocket) was a nice mare who won 13 races. I thought $37,500 was quite a bargain," Purdon said.

He said the only reason he bought the Courage Under Fire colt was because the preparer went of his way to showhim the horse before he was paraded in the sales ring. Purdon liked what he saw.

"He's a nice horse who should do well back home. He also had a nice conformation about him," Purdon said.

Commenting on the latter two purchases Purdon said he was delighted with what he got. Pilcher endorsed those comments.

"I think there were a few bargains here and Mark picked up on them. It was quite exciting. We are all really happy with what was bought," Pilcher said.

The sales topper for the first third of the Premium Sale was Lot 34, a Western Terror - Queen Xena (Silent Spring) bay colt, who fetched $75,000 for Brooklyn Lodge in Bathurst New South Wales.  See Peter Wharton's story.

The second day of the Sale - the Melbourne Gold Lots - starts at 11am tomorrow (Saturday).

By Duane RANGER (editor) in Melbourne