Bart inducted tonzhall of Fame

Bart Cummings seemed a little bemused.

The Australian training great politely smiled as Prime Minister John Key and other dignitaries spoke yesterday of his remarkable achievements in racing and support of the New Zealand breeding industry.

The 12-time winner of the Melbourne Cup was made an honorary inductee to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame yesterday before selling started on the first day of the Premier Session at Karaka.

But the nonchalent demeanour might well have been misleading.

He was certainly not lacking with his trademark humour as he took centre stage in the sales ring for the induction ceremony.

Key took great delight in recalling a typical Bart gem.

‘‘He’s a great man for buying a champion in the sales ring, but he leant over to me and said ‘I might be in the ring, but I’m not for sale’."

Cummings first bought at the New Zealand yearling sales in 1958 and recalled he had paid 10,000 guineas for Think Big, who went on to win the Melbourne Cup in successive years (1974 & 1975).

Asked by master of ceremonies Phillip Leishman whether he might be able to replicate that sort of result with a $10,000 buy this year, Cummings quipped: ‘‘I’m working on it.’’

Cummings has sourced eight of his 12 Melbourne Cup winners from New Zealand and also bought his best horse, So You Think, from Karaka.

‘‘I’m always looking for a bargain. You can get one here, but not in Australia,’’ he said.