Maher has vivid memories of Fontiton, who won the Blue Diamond Preview and Prelude for fillies before starting a hot favourite and running fifth in the Blue Diamond Stakes. Fontiton's second foal by proven sire Snitzel was sold to Maher for $575,000.

"I can still remember Fontiton when she was trained by Robert Smerdon at Caulfield," he said. "Fontiton was a speedy type.

"She had a lot of ability and there's a strong similarity to her In this colt. The colt is light on his feet. I kept on inspecting him in his box before the sale.

"I probably went back about ten times to see him walk out. He's a very athletic type.

"All the shares in him have been sold. He was keenly sought by our clients."

Among Maher's other purchases on Thursday included a colt by Xtravagant for $120,000, a filly by Exceed and Excel for $320,000, a Fastnet Rock filly made $375,000 and a colt by Star Witness for $100,000.

Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, told The Standard nearly 20 yearlings sold after two days of the sale would be trained by them.

"It's a very popular sale with buyers from all over the world," he said.

"We've still got shares available in some of the yearlings that we've purchased over the first two days.

"A couple of syndicators have asked us to train the yearlings they have purchased.

"The main sale has two days left and I would say it will stay a very strong sale to the end."