At Sandown on the Lakeside circuit, Canny Lad produced another decent winner when Pantenny claimed the Henry Bolte Hanicap (1400m) on Saturday.

Trained at Mornington by David Brideoake, Pantenny stormed home to win comfortably over Young Love (Danzero - Have Love by Canny Lad) by two lengths.  In doing so she gave Canny Lad the distinction of a unique quinella, being the sire and broodmare sire of the duo.  

Witehaven Girl (Umatilla - Juno Beach by Flying Spur) was another short-head away in third.

Pantenny was partnered by Peter Mertens who was forced to ride her off the speed as Whitehaven Girl took up the running as they settled down.  Staying close to the inside rail Whitehaven Girl started to tire inside the last 200 metres.  Pantenny, who had gone back from a wide gate early, stormed home to win as she liked.  In doing so she recorded her second win from as many attempts at the distance and third career win from 12-starts.

In New South Wales at Rosehill, Canny Lad, made it an interstate metropolitan double when He's Canny (ex Perfect Flight by Proud Knight) treated his opposition with contempt and easily won the Scruffy Murphy's Hotel Plate, class six, (1200m) by a widening three lengths.

He's Canny is a very talented galloper with a great record at Rosehill and he looked well placed with the three-kilo claim of Tracey O'Hara in the field of 12.

April 16th, 2007

In Queensland at Doomben on Saturday the Canny Lad colt Grand Reve looked above average when he won the Listed BTC Chief de Beers Quality (1110m).

Prepared by the popular, Bryan Guy, Grand Reve proved too solid in beating The Jackal by a short neck in his first appearance since finishing a distant second to Gold Edition in the Magic Millions Three Year Old Trophy at the Gold Coast in January.

An $80,000 purchase from the draft of Willow Park Stud at the 2005 Magic Millions Yearling Sale for bloodstock agent Keiran Moore, Grand Reve has won six of 12 starts collecting more than $250,000 and becomes the sixth individual stakes-winner this season for Woodlands Stud based Canny Lad, whose fee for this year has been set at an affordable $22,000.

Grand Reve is the first living foal from the New Zealand bred stakes-winner Recce (NZ), a daughter of Spectacular Love (USA) from the smart sprinting mare Camallino Star, a Listed winner of eight races.  Her yearling filly by Commands made $54,000 earlier this year in January when snapped up by Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm during Session Five at Magic Millions.  Recce (NZ) produced a colt by Royal Academy (USA) last spring and was subsequently covered by Mossman.

March 24th, 2007

Woodlands Stud stallions were again to the fore when He's No Pie Eater claimed his second Group I victory in the days feature the Rosehill Guineas (2000m).

Trained at Randwick by Graeme Rogerson, the three-year-old colt was ridden by Hugh Bowman who used him soon after jumping away from barrier 10 to settle in fourth behind the early leader Teranaba.  As the turned into the back straight Gorky Park pushed forward to go up and race on his outside.  When they got to the five-furlong peg the rider on Teranaba handed up the lead to Gorky Park to took them along at a nice tempo.

Rounding the home turn Gorky Park managed to kick clear of the pack, however, Bowman simply said 'go' and He's No Pie Eater quickly picked Gorky Park up and strode home to collect his second success at the elite level.

Rogerson told TVN's Bruce Clark;

"Just great."  

"I was pretty confident he could win. He's a good horse, this. 

"He'll be very hard to beat in the Derby." 

The $2 million Group One AJC Australian Derby (2400m) will be run at Randwick on April 7. 

He's No Pie Eater held Ambitious General (General Nediym - Lake Lagoda by Military Plume) by a half-length with third placegetter Fiumicino (Zabeel - Latte by Maroof) was another three lengths away in third.

Canny Lad, has been for a long time the standard bearer of the Star Kingdom male line and this Golden Slipper winner has been churning out a steady stream of winners of more than 500 at last count since entering stud in 1991.  The rising 20-year-old son of Bletchingly and the Lunchtime (GB) mare Jesmond Lass, Canny Lad has always been a favourite with breeders and with trainers (who are usually able to snap up his yearlings at value prices). 

Owning a pedigree free of Northern Dancer, Sir Ivor and Mr. Prospector, Canny Lad has proved a worthwhile cross for mares carrying these bloodlines and He's No Pie Eater is a perfect example.

He's No Pie Eater is his sire's ninth Group 1 winner and he is out of Ladies' Day (CAN), a daughter of the Danzig Horse Ascot Knight (CAN) and Show Lady (Sir Ivor) and was a $140,000 MM buy for bloodstock agent Dean Watt on behalf of long time client Bruce Reid. On Mr Reid's death, ownership of the horse passed to his son David.

Now the winner of five races and placed five times from 15 starts, He's No Pie Eater possesses a real stallion's pedigree as his grandam Show Lady is a daughter of superb broodmare Best in Show. Show Lady, a sister to Geilgud (USA), is also the third dam of champion sire Redoute's Choice (whose dam is by Canny Lad) as well as being the dam of Canadian Gr.1 winner Great Regent and of Dancing Show (the Nijinsky-sired dam of Umatilla and Hurricane Sky and grandam of Redoute's Choice, Al Maher and Platinum Scissors, all Gr.1 winners.)

Canny Lad made it an interstate double when Campaspe River (ex Queenstown Kate by Kingston Rule) returned from a spring break to claim the 2nd Chance Draw Every Saturday Handicap (1310m) at Cheltenham Park.

March 5th, 2007

  WHILE high profile younger sires are hogging the headlines these days, the win of long shot He’s No Pie Eater in the Chipping Norton Stakes-Gr.1 on Saturday, March 3, turned the spotlight on his sire ‘Mr Reliable’ Canny Lad.

  For a long time the standard bearer of the Star Kingdom male line (and these days being ‘helped out’ in that regard by boom sire Show a Heart), this Woodlands Stud-based Golden Slipper winner has been churning out a steady stream of winners (more than 500 at last count) since entering stud in 1991.

  The rising 20-year-old son of Bletchingly and the Lunchtime (GB) mare Jesmond Lass, Canny Lad has always been a favourite with breeders and with trainers (who are usually able to snap up his yearlings at value prices).

  Owning a pedigree free of Northern Dancer, Sir Ivor and Mr. Prospector, Canny Lad has proved a worthwhile cross for mares carrying these bloodlines and He’s No Pie Eater is a perfect example.

  The three-year-old, who became his sire’s ninth Gr.1 winner in defeating Desert War (dam by Canny Lad), Mentality and Eremein in the $300,000 Chipping Norton at Warwick Farm, is from Ladies’ Day (CAN), a daughter of the Danzig Horse Ascot Knight (CAN) and Show Lady (Sir Ivor) and was a $140,000 Magic Millions buy for bloodstock agent Dean Watt on behalf of long time client Bruce Reid. On Mr Reid’s death, ownership of the horse passed to his son David.

  He’s No Pie Eater (named after a favourite saying of Bruce Reid) was a late entry into the event by trainer Graeme Rogerson after the Gosford Guineas was abandoned the previous Sunday. However, while the three-year-old was an 80/1 shot to win the big Warwick Farm mile at his first run back from a spell, he had an earlier Group 1 placing when third in the Spring Champion Stakes-Gr.1 (behind Teranaba) and had also placed in the Listed Run to the Rose Handicap at Rosehill. He is likely to run in the AJC Derby at Randwick on April 7 after his short-neck victory on the rain-affected track.

  Now the winner of four races and placed five times from 14 starts, He’s No Pie Eater possesses a real stallion’s pedigree as his grandam Show Lady is a daughter of superb broodmare Best in Show. Show Lady, a sister to Geilgud (USA), is also the third dam of champion sire Redoute’s Choice (whose dam is by Canny Lad) as well as being the dam of Canadian Gr.1 winner Great Regent and of Dancing Show (the Nijinsky-sired dam of Umatilla and Hurricane Sky and grandam of Redoute’s Choice, Al Maher and Platinum Scissors, all Gr.1 winners.)

  Canny Lad, who won eight races and more than $2m, has sired 40SW led by other Gr.1 winners Accomplice, Dodge, Republic Lass, Cannsea, Calveen, Preserve, Ancient Song and Allez Suez. It seems amazing that a sire of his quality (winners of more than $34m) has no yearlings catalogued for Easter and just three in the Premier Sale in Melbourne, although his name features in the pedigrees of many high profile lots as the damsire of Redoute’s Choice. Canny Lad’s daughters have produced 16SW and in addition to Redoute’s Choice and Desert War, other Gr.1 winners include Platinum Scissors, Mnemosyne and Kusi.

Canny Lad, whose fee at Woodlands, Denman in 2006 was $22,000, has covered books of more than 100 in all but one of the past 10 seasons, including 158 in 2000, 157 in 2005 and 132 in 2006. 

September 24th, 2006

At Rosehill on Saturday, All Black Gold claimed the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) in good style giving Woodlands Stud Canny Lad his 39th stakes winner.

All Black Gold was coming off a class three victory at the same course a week earlier and coming out of a good barrier the race fell his way in winning his third race. Ridden on Saturday by Jay Ford, All Black Gold settled well for the young rider behind the earlier leader Pacino.  

When Ford made his run All Black Gold went up another gear and had the race half-way down the long Rosehill straight.  Letting down he claimed a 1-1/4 length win over Tuesday Joy (Carnegie -Joie Denise by Danehill) with Sermon (Octagonal - Eureka Jewel by Semipalatinsk) another neck away in third.

Trained by Chris Waller at Rosehill, All Black Gold will have his next outing in the Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on October 7th. 

All Black Gold is a half-brother to 2002 Group I Doomben Cup winner Mr. Bureaucrat (by Bureaucracy) and a the stakes placed winning Nozomi Express (by Spectacular Spy).

September 20th, 2006

Trainer David Hayes has emerged with another potential top liner after Absolute Dream demolished a handy field in the Velia Environmental Services Handicap (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Ridden by Craig Newitt from barrier 13, Absolute Dream, raced midfield with cover.  Newitt then made a sweeping run around the outside as they cornered.  She grabbled the lead shortly after straightening, going on to win very easily by three lengths from Flying Object (Peintre Celebre - Willy Fly by Will Dancer).  

Flying Object ran on strongly along the inside for second from Waitui Angel (Orpen - Singing Angel by Rahy).

Absolute Dream (ex Absolute Queen by Royal Academy) looks capable of winning a stakes event as she capped another good day off for her sire Canny Lad as earlier in the day in New South Wales at Rosehill, All Black Gold had easily accounted for his rivals in the Kerri Ann Haute Couture Headwear Hcp (1400m).

All Black Gold (ex Explanation by County) scored by 1-1/2 lengths over Absolutelyfavulous (Langfuhr - Joker's Girl by Rory's Jester) with Bomber Command (Testa Rossa - Irish Prose by Centaine) another head away in third.

September 4th, 2006

At Rosehill on Saturday, At Ease, gave her wonderful sire Canny Lad his 38th stakes winner when she took out Saturday's Listed Sheraco Stakes (1100m).

Trained at Warwick Farm by Steve Englebrecht, At Ease was given her opportunity to earn some valuable black type after the handicapper had treated her kindly with 53kilos.

Having her first run since a solid second in the Listed James Carr Stakes at Randwick during the autumn carnival, At Ease had trialled well and Englebrecht committed to the feature event.

Ridden by Larry Cassidy, At Ease settled in the middle of the pack, and got into a bumping duel with Rosecutter rounding the turn.  But once she got clear the race was over as she overhauled Sugarbomb (Snippets - Belle Banne by Mighty Avalanche) to score by a long neck.  

Fire Song (Senor Pete - Dance On Fire by Volksraad) was third three-quarters of a length away.

Steve Englebrecht told the press after the win that At Ease (ex Southern Royale by Salieri) will be back at Rosehill in two weeks for the Research Stakes. 

March 28th, 2006

Amazing One was back at his favourite track Moonee Valley on Saturday without his blinkers on and returned to greet his owners in the winners' enclosure with a narrow victory in the Mornmoot Stud Handicap (1200m).

Ridden a cool race by Peter Mertens, Amazing One (ex Mad Desire by Covetous) got the run of the race settling third behind Appian Way and Serene Prince.   Mertens got clear at the top of the straight and Amazing One showed plenty of courage to hold on by a head from Serene Prince (Perugino - Serene Jewel by Gold Carat) with Appian Way (Spartacus - Simply Fine by New Regent) the same margin away in third.  

Later in the day at Ascot, Canny Lad produced his 36th stakes winner, when Canny Jack (late Master Jack) kept is perfect record in tact to claim the listed Perth Stakes (1100m).

Canny Jack (ex Miss Jilly by Grosvenor) is owned by Lynward Park Stud Syndicate and will have them looking to the future as he showed plenty of talent sprinting home hard to claim a 3-1/4 length victory over It Will Do (Denvain - It's My Business).

February 27th, 2006

    At Rosehill on Saturday, on of the most impressive wins of the day was turned in by the Greg Hickman-trained He’s Canny resuming from a spell in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1300m).

    After beginning well He’s Canny travelled outside the leader, Rosecutter at a good tempo. On straightening Rosecutter kicked clear.  Rider, Tim Clark had He’s Canny well on the bridle and when he asked the three-year-old for his effort, although a little green, he gapped his rivals to claim his second win by a widening four-and-a-half lengths.

Danzippo (Danzero - Polishing by Imperial Prince) came in second with the early leader Rosecutter (Redoute's Choice - Belloe Bellotto by Bellotto) a half length away in third.

    He’s Canny smashed the existing class record of 1.17.71 set by Falaise in Novermber last year by stopping the clock at 1.15.62 (last 600m in 33.92).

    He’s Canny is out of the former handy race mare Perfect Flight (by Proud Knight). 

February 19th, 2006

A change of stables and countries for Amazing One appears to have agreed with the five-year-old son of Canny Lad in claiming a well-supported fresh up win in the Slade Bloodstock Handicap (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Ridden by Steve Arnold, Amazing One began well from barrier seven settling third behind the solid pace set by Message Bank and Beach Box both showing the way. Amazing One was right behind them.  Amazing One got clear on the turn, but had to find plenty to just hold out Message Bank (All Chatter - Zonki by Zephyr Zip) by a short head.   

Charlie Bub (O'Reilly - Ungaro by Centaine) finishing off well out wide 1-1/4 lengths away in third.

In recording his fourth win from eight starts, Amazing One (ex Mad Desire by Covetous), would have given the bookies' nightmares as he went up a short priced favourite and punters walked up to snap up the early overs of $2.50 at 136%. Owned in New Zealand by Brent Gillovic, the manager of Highview Stud who stands Align, must have woken up a very happy man this morning with plenty of cash to hand out to his staff and family!  

Good luck to them all. 

February 12th, 2006

The Victorian trained, Con's Amy made the most of a good barrier draw to chalk up Canny Lad's 35th stakes winner when she took out the Listed Bow Mistress Trophy (1200m) at Hobart on Saturday.

Trained by Heath Conners from his Caulfield base, Con's Amy was ridden a confident race by apprentice Daniel Moor to claim the bulk of the $80,000 purse.

Con's Amy won by a short head from Open Cut (Made of Gold - Landgold by Damister), giving interstate raiders the quinella, the local runner Kats Klause (Weasel Clause - Georgia Mist by Orient Way) was a head away third. 

A daughter of Royal Persepoly (by Persepolis), Con's Amy chalked up her seventh career victory increasing her residual value again with the valuable black type win to compliment an earlier stakes placing in the 2003 Listed Sir Douglas Wadley Hcp at Eagle Farm.  

Royal Persepoly ( by Persepolis) is the dam of 11 living foals, with seven winners from the eight who have raced, she only got to the track for three starts and Con's Amy is her first stakes winner. 

Canny Lad's progeny have earnings over $30 million and he has an impressive 67.2% strike rate of winners to runners. 

January 29th, 2006

November 7th, 2005

Woodlands based Canny Lad continues his great success producing another interstate metropolitan double.

In New South Wales at Randwick, Bromide chalked up his fourth career victory in the Maytag handicap (1100m) on Saturday.

Bromide (ex Many Hands by Handy Proverb) accounted for Smart Maxie (Anabaa - Smart Little Lady by Bletchingly) by a length with Bipolar (Skilful Star - Extroverted by Dieu D'Or) a short-head away in third.

April 11th, 2005

In New Zealand, Canny Lad's daughter Calveen claimed a fourth group win in the Group 2 Westernbay Finance Japan-New Zealand Trophy adding further strength to her claim for the end-of-season Mercedes Thoroughbred Of The Year Award.

The win in the feature was her second at group two level, following her earlier victories in the G1 Easter Handicap and the G3 Gasmate Stakes. With all of those races contested at 1600 metres, Calveen would be a near certainty for a title designated solely for that distance. But even with her appropriate category being the sprinter-miler award she must be right in contention, especially given that each of this season's group one sprints was won by a different horse. 

On Saturday, Calveen showed her prowess at 1600 metres when she defied a supposed on-pace bias by coming from the rear to down a high class field. Her closest rival at the finish was last year's winner Silky Red Boxer (Casual Lies - Soleil Etoile) a neck away with Santoya (College Chapel - Cake) 3 lengths further away in third.

Calveen, ridden for just the second time by her Easter Handicap jockey Cameron Lammas, once again proved too strong as she underlined her previous start Ellerslie achievement when the chances of several runners had been affected by interference. 

The win also marked the first occasion that Calveen's quartet of owners had all been together on such an occasion. Breeder Don McLaren had missed all three of her previous group wins, part-owner Lyn Stevens was the only one present when she won the Easter, and Bill Wilson and John Ede had been on hand for the Gasmate Stakes win at Te Rapa in December.

"We were all at Trentham in January when she missed out in the Thorndon Mile but apart from that it's been difficult getting everyone together," said McLaren. "I hadn't seen her win since her progressive grade win at Avondale in October and I was beginning to wonder if I should stay away again on Saturday."

Fortunately, trainer Lance O'Sullivan assured McLaren that Calveen was well up to winning and furthermore, that he had his permission to be on track. McLaren, who operates Northfields Stud in partnership with his wife Rochelle, purchased Calveen's dam Calvinia (Varick) after she had been knocked down to Paul Moroney at the 1996 Sydney Easter Yearling Sales.  Calveen is her third foal.

Calveen's win capped off a wonderful day for Canny Lad who also sired a metropolitan running-double at Warwick Farm in Australia.

Silver Fun (ex Spirited Fun by Racing is Fun) claimed the Ribot Handicap (1600m) by a nose then Bromide (ex Many Hands by Handy Proverb) strode home for an easy 2-length victory in the Corrida Handicap (1400m).

March 27th, 2005

Canny Lad notched his second Group I success in New Zealand when Calveen easily claimed the ARC Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Calveen competently beat 15 others, running away to score by almost two lengths from the Slavic gelding Kristor with British Ensign, by British Banker, a long head away third. 

Calveen already a winner of six of her previous 17 starts, including two Group 2's has increased her residual value for her owners, Don and Rochelle McLaren, from the Northfields Stud in Auckland.

Calveen is out of Calvina (by Varick) a half-sister to English Wonder who is the dam of the deceased Dr Grace.

December 13th, 2004

"How Good Is She?"

The racecaller's words were ringing in our ears as the Canny Lad mare Calveen scorched to her sixth win in the 14 starts in the G3 Gasmate S 1600m at Te Rapa on Saturday. She ran a blistering 1.33 plus for the trip having previously won over 1400m at Avondale and Ellerslie, the latter victory in 1.22.03 - fast time by any standard.

She is the latest in the long time of outstanding performers by Woodlands' evergreen Canny Lad. He has sired both colts and fillies of exceptional merit, with his daughters now making their mark in the broodmare ranks. Woodlands looks to have a veritable treasure trove of breeding stock with so many of his daughters in its broodmare band.

Calveen is third winner from four runners out of the winning Varick mare Calvinia who is a half-sister to English Wonder, dam of Gr1 winners ASIA and DR GRACE. The latter, a son of Sir Tristram, died prematurely at stud after establishing a great record with just a few crops. Where did he stand? Why Woodlands of course!

September 19th, 2004

Woodlands Stud colonial bred stallion Canny Lad daughter made it consecutive stakes victories in Saturday's Tea Rose Stakes at Rosehill after claiming the G3 Furious Stakes at Warwick Farm two weeks earlier.

Prisoner Of Love can now stake her claim as Sydney’s best 3-year old filly with two of three legs of the Princess series in the bag Prisoner Of Love now heads to the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 2. 

Prisoner Of Love had a half-length over Wager (Flying Spur - Occasional Gain by Lunchtime) with Covertly (Metal Storm - Most Secret by Bletchley Park) 1-1/4 lengths away in third. 

With her record of 3 wins and 1 third from six starts for earnings of $178,270 it is little wonder that breeder Brian Agnew has little regret in keeping the filly after she failed to make her $200,000 reserve at the 2003 Easter Yearling Sale.

A half-sister to multiple Group 2 winner Sportsman (Supremo) and stakes winner King Of Prussia (Anabaa), Prisoner Of Love is the fifth foal and fifth winner out of the Centaine mare Professionelle. 

Hong Kong based Leung Kai Fai purchased Professionelle, in foal to Danehill Dancer, for $525,000 at the dispersal of Agnew’s Wakefield Stud in June. 

Professionelle has a two-year old Flying Spur filly, which was purchased for $500,000 by British based bloodstock agent Grant Prichard-Gordon at the Easter Yearling sale, and a yearling colt by Danzero. 

September 13th, 2004

At Rosehill on Saturday, Canny Lad unveiled another two promising juvenile's siring the quinella in the  Kevin R Sheather Electrical Group Handicap (1500m).

Only having his third career start, Bromide (ex Many Hands by Handy Proverb) chalked up his second success showing plenty of fight to deny another Canny Lad youngster Restless Wind (ex Timeless Winds by Mister C) with only a neck between them at the post.

Both Bromide and Restless Wind have shown above average ability with both geldings to be improved from the run and will go on with it now.

September 5th, 2004

Woodlands Canny Lad continues to roll out the winners on regular basis and he shouldn't have much trouble hanging the 'full book' sign up on his barn door this spring.  As he continues to roll out the winners on a regular basis and on Saturday he was at it again producing a quartet of winners including a metropolitan treble.

Proving his versatility the metropolitan treble of winners were over a variety of distances.  The Gai Waterhouse prepared Canny Princess (ex Kailey Princess by Danehill) got the Canny Lad show on the road with a tough win in the Mix 106.5 Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill.  

Ridden by Chris Munce, who bounced the three-year-old filly straight to the led and never be headed to score by a length from Nice Surprise (Spinning World - My Fillee by Joindre) with Hairpin (Octagonal - Suzuka by Night Shift) a half-length away third. 

Forty five minutes later at Eagle Farm in Queensland the Noel Doyle-trained Conflicting (ex Scottish Clan by Brigand) landed her fourth win in the Native Dawn Handicap (2200m).  A little more than an hour later Huddle (ex Hurry Dear by Kenmare) made it back-to-back wins when he claimed the Gillespie Handicap (1300m) by three-quarters-of-a-length. 

Towards the end of the day in New South Wales at Kembla Grange, Restless Wind (ex Timeless Winds by Mister C) broke his maiden status chalking up Canny Lad's fourth winner. 

At Eagle Farm on Saturday, Canny Lad's five-year-old grey son, Huddle claimed the opening race on the eight race card.

Raced by the Woodlands Stud Syndicate and prepared by John Hawkes, Huddle (ex Hurry Dear by Kenmare) was resuming from a short spell.  He took out the Colorado Class 6 Handicap (1000m) by a long neck from San Franfrisco (Frisco View - Spectacular Grey by Spectacular Spy).

Woodlands Stud Canny Lad is enjoying a good run at the moment and his six-year-old son Heracles didn't let him down with a tough win in the Carlton Draught Handicap (1000m) at Victoria Park on Saturday.

Heracles (ex Eurythmics by Yallah Native) had a 1-1/4 length winning margin on Like Jon (Real Cash - Amen's Lass by Amen Brother) with Biddyup (Devaraja - Rosie May by The Pug) in third just a head away.

Cannyopra finally had some luck at Morphettville on Saturday in winning the Carlton Draught Handicap (1600m).

Cannyopra (ex Salisopra by Three Legs) made good ground last week in the G3 Adelaide Guineas after being shuffled back to the tail of the field and against easier company scored a good short neck victory over None for the Road (Noalcoholic - Road to Gold by Whiskey Road) with Scold (Geiger Counter - Gogo Doll by Dala Dancer) the same margin away in third.

Canny Lad mare Canny Me showed plenty of determination to score a last-stride win in the Richmond Grove Coonawarra Cabernet Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.

The mare appeared to get every opportunity when she finished second at her last outing on the same course two weeks earlier, however on Saturday, dropping back in grade but up in weight her rider Stathi Katsidis got the best out of Canny Me to record her fourth victory from nine starts.

A half-neck back was light weight Sunlady (Desert Sun - Lady Everton by Straight Strike) with Bold Molly (Chariot - Dynasty Miss by Century) 1-1/4 lengths back in third.

Canny Lad filly Seances who is a half-sister to the ill-fated star Unworldly returned to racing after a successful spring campaign in Melbourne to score a strong 1-1/4 length win in the Listed Millie Fox Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Seances defeated the race favourite In A Bound (Ashkalani - Bounding Away by Biscay) with another 1-1/4 lengths back to Recurring (Pentire - Donna's Habit by Ashabit) in third.

Seances autumn targets are likely to include the Liverpool City Cup and Coolmore Classic.

Also a half-sister to the G2 winner Gordo, Seances is out of the Danehill mare Spirit. Spirit's Grand Lodge colt two-year-old has been named Haunted House, while her yearling filly by Quest For Fame has been called Psyched.  Spirit was covered again by Quest For Fame in 2002 and last spring by his son, Viscount.  

With plenty of speed in the Hyberabad Raceclub Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday the race looked to be one of the hardest on the card.

As it appeared on paper the race had the speed on as soon as the gates flew open with Ocean Bridge (Dolphin Street) working very hard to find the front.  Royal Sash, Size Her Up and Given were all buried back between runners midfield and worse early on.

After the field broke up as they rounded the turn Royal Sash was quickly into the clear and raced up to Ocean Bridge who was starting to struggle. 

Given (ex Mad Desire by Covetous) was making a long run around the field out very wide and kept coming with Mark Zahra riding the mare very hard.   

Given wore down Royal Sash (Royal Academy - Flurry's Autumn by Southern Appeal) in the shadows of the post to score a determined short-head win.   Size Her Up (Success Express - Cindest by Best Western) who only got going the last bit to grab third ahead of Ocean Bridge was 1-1/4 lengths back in third. 

Given has got a big heart and showed a ton of courage in collecting her fifth win for her connections. 

After 13 seasons at stud, Canny Lad showed why he's one of Australia's most successful colonial bred stallions, producing a winning interstate metropolitan treble, and in New Zealand his son won the Open Handicap at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Tweak (ex Titillate by Grosvenor) got the Canny Lad show on the road scoring an all the way win in the Pentathlon Handicap (1800m) at Rosehill.  Twenty minutes later along came Moolah (ex Coin Case by Sovereign Slipper) at Flemington.  With blinkers on for the first time he scored his sixth career victory in the Tauto Welter (1610m).  Later on in the day at Eagle Farm, Huddle (ex Hurry Dear by Kenmare) took out the Barry Pascoe Handicap (1300m) in solid fashion.

Over in New Zealand at Te Rapa racecourse, near Hamilton on a wet miserable day, Amazing One (ex Mad Desire by Covetous), gave his connections something to smile about when he won the Align 1200 Handicap by 1-3/4 lengths from Talescope (Tale of the Cat - Vintage Belle) with Another Diamond (Diamond Express - Potters Gold) three-quarters-of-a-length back in third.

Canny Lad has sired over 350 individual winners, with his progeny earnings exceeding $25 million, with  30 stakes winners including 7 Group One winners.