Georgetti reaping rewards

Marton’s Jack Georgetti will never spend a better $500. But he already knew that. Georgetti paid Melbourne Cupwinning breeder Graeme Hunt $500 for a Frenchpark filly 11 years ago and put her into work himself.

Named Creil, the filly won on debut, progressed to a Group performer and then completed the ragsto-riches fairytale when she won the 2005 Group 1 Avondale Cup.

Yesterday another chapter was added to the fairytale when Georgetti sold a High Chaparral colt out of Creil for $650,000 through Cambridge’s Lyndhurst Farm.

Lyndhurst’s Mark Treweek was rapt for Georgetti and his wife, Gloria.

He said he knew from the interest before the sale that the colt would make good money, but the purchase price far exceeded his expectations.

‘‘We were thinking he could make $500,000. There was a lot of interest in him, and people were saying he was the best High Chaparral in the sale,’’ Treweek said.

‘‘To get to $650,000 was great, a real thrill. He was an exceptional type and he sold accordingly.’’

Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung bought the colt for Hong Kong owner W K Lee, attracted to his ‘‘stallion’s pedigree’’ and his Derby potential both in Australasia and Hong Kong.

‘‘We went over budget to get him, but he’s a nice horse and that’s why we paid a premium,’’ Leung said. ‘‘We’re looking for a top staying horse, both here and in Hong Kong, and that’s where we see him.’’

Leung said a New Zealand trainer for the colt has yet to be decided upon.

Lyndhurst Farm later sold an Encosta de Lago-giovanna colt for $300,000, knocked down to the Hong Kong Jockey Club.