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Melbourne-based syndicators First Light Racing splashed the cash late in the piece at Karaka on Tuesday.

They went to $825,000 to secure the black son of Savabeel and the Group Three winner O’Reilly Rose, a three-quarter sister to the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap winner and sire Shamexpress.

First Light has forged a successful association with leading Australian trainer Peter Moody and Auckland-based agent Paul Willetts.

“We paid a bit more for this colt than we thought, but he is very impressive and we had to have him,” Ashleigh Dowley said.

Karaka veteran Willetts also said they were determined to secure the Beltana-offered colt, who is from the family of the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup winner Affinity.

“Peter loved him, in fact we all did. We didn’t think we’d have to go that high, but we really wanted him.

“It’s a good result for First Light Racing, who are only new on the scene. We’re happy to be working with them and helping them out at the sales.”

Their latest acquisition is a half-brother to the High Chaparral colt Collaborate, who has showed promise with a win and a minor placing in three starts from the Cambridge stable of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.