October 12th, 2008

Trainer Mick Price went to Caulfield with a genuine chance of winning the Group I Yalumba Stakes with his come back galloper Pompeii Ruler who was denied by Douro Valley by a neck.  In the following race the New Zealand bred Alamosa (O'Reilly) was able to make the Group I Toorak Hcp (1600m) his own with a first class effort then just to top the day off for Price, Damselfly toughed out the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m).

Damselfly began well behind Solchow who took up the running through the middle stages at just an even pace.  Damien Oliver on Damselfly moved up to Solchow at the 300m and asked the filly to quicken.  Racing clear she did begin to tire with 100m to go with another daughter of Flying Spur, Okaylah (ex Cool Chick by Centaine) chasing her, while Impressive Eagle (Rubiton - Wedgetail Eagle by Lure), who wanted to race a little greenly, rushed home to just fail by a neck with Okaylah third.

Damselfly had been sent to Bendigo to break her maiden and two weeks later at the same course she followed up with 0-72 ratings based win at the beginning of the month.

The Group 3 win was a tough win and was a fitting black type victory as her dam La Bella Dame (by Royal Academy) had died two weeks earlier along with her foal by Hussonet. 

Damselfly is raced by her breeders, United Syndications, they had purchased La Bella Dame at the 2001 William Inglis Classic yearling sale for $30,000. 

La Bella Dame proved a wonderful buy for them as she went on to win five races including the Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes and the Group 3 Tranquil Stakes.  A runner-up to Macedon Lady in the Group I Thousand Guineas, La Bella Dame had also been trained by Price, and only had four foals during her short breeding career, with Damselfly the only filly.  Her full-brother Bel Spur is a winner while La Bella Dame's juvenile by Johannesburg, named Magic Rain, is yet to race and she produced a colt by Choisir last spring.

Damselfly is the 67th stakes-winner worldwide for Arrowfield Stud’s Flying Spur.

September 28th, 2008

It was feature racing at Randwick on Saturday and the John Hawkes-trained Mentality took out the main event when he scored his third Group One win over the famous Randwick "mile" when winning the George Main Stakes.

The five-year-old chestnut gelded son by Flying Spur was ridden by Corey Brown and travelled well behind the early leader Ashikaga in third spot. Relaxing well for Brown, Mentality rounded the home turn one back and one out. Moving along side Ashikaga, Brown asked Mentality for his effort and he sprinted too well for his rivals to deny Theseo (Danewin - Ozone Sand by L'Enjoleur) the glory and chalk up his third group one win. Gallant Tess (Galileo - Dragoncello by Diesis) ran another honest race and although she struck trouble she would not have beaten Mentality who had previously won the 2006 Champagne Stakes and 2007 Randwick Guineas over the George Main distance of 1600m. 

It was Mentality's seventh win from 27 starts which have also yielded nine placings for prizemoney in excess of $1.9 million. 

"He does love the mile," Michael Hawkes told TVN's Richard Calendar. 

"At the top of the rise he had a lapful of horse. 

"That's a fantastic feeling." 

Trained at Rosehill by John Hawkes, Mentality is his first Group I winner since he gave up the Woodlands private trainer job. Adding more cream to the win Hawkes had selected the outstanding son of Flying Spur and Synaesthesia (by Quiet American) out of the 2005 William Inglis Easter Yearling sale when he paid $100,000 for him. 

Just to emphasize how much Flying Spur's progeny love to race, his smart gelded son Tour Guide (ex Needham Star by Mt. Livermore), won a class six event at Doomben later in the day giving Flying Spur a interstate metropolitan double on the day.  

While just twelve hours earlier his daughter, Okaylah, led all the way to claim her second win at her sixth career start when winning the open three year-old fillies event over 1200 metres at Moonee Valley on Friday night. With a black type placing behind Hips Don’t Lie in a Listed event last time in Okaylah will no doubt be placed to advantage by her trainer. 

Trained at Rye by Lee Freedman, for a syndicate that includes Terry Henderson and Simon O'Donnell, she held a half-a-length margin over the stakes placed, Velocitea (Volksraad - Cat Shmea by Felix the Cat).

Okaylah was a $300,000 purchase for Bloodstock Agent Rob McAnulty from the Widden Stud draft at the 2007 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Her dam Cool Chick (by Centaine) has also produced the smart stakes placed Kick ‘n’ Chase (Red Ransom) and is a half-sister to stakes-winner and Group One placed The Big Chill (by O'Reilly) who is out of the VRC Maribyrnong Trial Stakes winner, Icy Calm (by Western Symphony).

September 14th, 2008

A stellar performance by Sparks Fly at Morphettville on Saturday saw the Michael Kent trained filly shorten drastically in betting for next month’s 1000 Guineas-Gr.1 at Caulfield.

Having only her second run this campaign – and just her fourth overall, the daughter of Flying Spur settled last in a slowly run Morphettville Guineas-LR. Whilst several runners were pulling, Sparks Fly settled well at the rear for in form jockey Michelle Payne.

So often it can be difficult for a horse to make ground in a race run in such a way but Sparks Fly put her natural turn of foot and class on display – reeling in her rivals over the last furlong before racing away to a soft 2.5 length victory.

Professing to be “excited” about Sparks Fly’s potential, Michael Kent has his eyes on the 1000 Guineas and beyond – next year’s Australasian Oaks-Gr.1 her autumn target.

An imposing bay, Sparks Fly does still have some maturing to do but the form around her is strong and she is now rated a 12-1 chance for the Guineas. 

Sparks Fly is the first foal for the speedy stakes placed Dual Spark best remembered for her three metropolitan victories and a game second to Innovation Girl in the Dermody Stakes-Gr.3.

Retired to stud in 2004, Dual Spark travelled to Arrowfield to be served by Golden Slipper hero Flying Spur. On September 26 a year later a bold filly arrived on the scene – one described by bloodstock consultant Kristen Manning as “the best first foal I have seen.”

Debuting in a midweek 1000m contest at Sandown in late March, Sparks Fly settled at the rear and, despite striking interference, was able to storm home to win by a length.

Subsequently a somewhat unlucky third in Saturday grade at Caulfield, Sparks Fly was spelled and her first up fast finishing third after a slow start behind Shine On Anna and Fly Higher was a great pointer to her Morphettville success.

Sparks Fly was bred by her exceptionally proud owners Joe & Daira Vella of Wingrove Park, Kerrie. The boast a simply outstanding strike rate having bred 29 named foals, 26 of whom have raced for 19 winners.

Amongst that group are five black type performers – the dual Gr.3 winner Dedicated Miss, the dual Listed winner Classiconi, the Gr.3 placed Dual Spark, the Listed runner up Hoodlum and now the up and coming Sparks Fly.

Promising performers Count The Diamonds and Diva La Belle also carry the Wingrove brand as did the metropolitan winners Anti Miyaki, Mirabilis and Stylish Cossack.

Breeding with a small but select group of broodmares including Naturalist (a ¾ sister to Naturalism) and Villa Igea (a descendant of Eight Carat), the Vellas have no doubt who the apple of their eye is – the lovely Dual Spark.

Due to foal to Niello the day after her daughter contests the 1000 Guineas, Dual Spark will visit Denon this season. She is also the dam of an outstanding two-year-old Elvstroem filly and an athletic Rakti yearling filly.

“She has been a wonderful mare for us,” the Vellas enthused. “She was the first city winner we raced and to have her very first foal win a stakes race in such easy style is a massive thrill.”

“Michael has done a wonderful job as has Michelle and we congratulate them on a fantastic day at Morphettville!”

Sparks Fly was part of a winning double for Kent and a treble for Payne who also rode Capecover 

April 13th, 2008

In winning yesterday’s Dubai Rosehill Guineas-G1, three year old Dealer Principal became Flying Spur’s 63rd individual stakes winner, and 10th winner at the elite level.

This is not so surprising, as anyone who had been watching the horse come through the grades in this, his first preparation, would have tagged him as a future stakes winner any time now, an opinion his trainer, Anthony Cummings, has long held and has made public more than once.

As he pushes on towards the AJC Australian Derby-G1 in two weeks’ time, perhaps what is surprising is that Dealer Principal is the first Flying Spur to win a Group One beyond 1600m and one of only a handful of the stallion’s 63 stakes winners to win past that distance. 

At this point we should add that the Danehill horse sired the quinella in the Rosehill Guineas, with Gai’s Kingda Ka staying on for second ahead of the fast finishing Littorio, the 2007 Victoria Derby runner-up.

Dealer Principal’s dam Volte, by Marauding from Voltage by Whiskey Road, failed to win for the Kelly family in eight starts, with a few placings in town at the midweeks her best performances. Her earlier foals include the stakes placed sprinter Resistor, by Danehill, and the middle distance Perth winner, Optimizer, by Danehill’s son Danewin.

Volte was a sister to an Oakleigh Plate winner in Drum, which doesn’t suggest the type of classic stamina we’re looking for, but another sister was Tambour, which did show her best over some ground with placings in the Castlemaine Classic-G1 over 1600m at two and the Norman Robinson-G2 over 2000m as a Spring three year old. Tambour was also fourth in the Wakeful Stakes-G2 and is most famous as the dam of the outstanding Grand Armee, whose 7 Group One wins were all won at 1600 or 2000m.

A fourth Marauding – Voltage sibling is the Melbourne sprinter Eldarin, the dam of the lightly raced NJC Spring Stakes-G3 winner Mearas, by Redoute’s Choice, who stayed 1600m and probably further had he had the chance.

Voltage was a good mare up to 1600m in Melbourne and perhaps one of the keys to the middle distance stamina shown by Grand Armee, Mearas and now Dealer Principal, lies with her sire, the versatile Whiskey Road. A son of the great Nijinsky, Whiskey Road’s progeny ranged from a Melbourne Cup winner, Just a Dash, to an AJC Galaxy winner, Bronze Spirit. 

The best Whiskey Road of course was Strawberry Road, an AJC Derby/Cox Plate winner with the speed to win a Group One at WFA over 1200m. 

Dealer Principal’s extended female family is one of New Zealand’s best, the famous Belle family, and he is the latest high-class horse representing one of the clan’s most successful modern day branches it must be said.

The late John Kelly of Newhaven Park Stud purchased Dealer Principal’s third dam, Electric Belle at the 1981 Trentham Yearling Sale for $100,000. Unplaced in all 5 starts when trained by T.J. Smith, Electric Belle more than repaid Mr. Kelly’s faith in her at stud. 

Electric Belle was by Sovereign Edition from Dame Belle by Hermes from Belle Time by Summertime from Belle Fox by Foxbridge. New Zealand classic pedigrees don’t get much better than that. 

Dealer Principal is the fourth Group One winner descending from Electric Belle, the mare that I have heard Gai refer to as “that Sovereign Edition filly of the Kelly’s that used to swish its tail”. The multiple Hong Kong Group One winner Absolute Champion is the other one, a son of Electric Belle’s daughter, Beauty Belle.

Weighing it up, I think there was enough pedigree evidence to suggest Dealer Principal would get the trip yesterday, particularly under a perfect Peter Robl ride and with the Cummings polish. 

Congratulations to Peter Horwitz and his partners, and to John Rippon’s Reavill Farm, who sold the Guineas winner for $150,000 at Easter 2006. Volte has a 2007 Redoute’s Choice filly.

Whether Dealer Principal can extend to 2400m at Randwick, and become Flying Spur’s first Derby winner, is now the question.

- John Hutchinson

April 6th, 2008

Group I racing returned to Canterbury on Saturday and Arrowfield Stud's champion sire, Flying Spur, left his hoof print firmly on the meeting producing a treble of stakes winners including the Group I Queen Of The Turf stakes with his pin up girl, Forensics.  By the end of the day Flying Spur had added cream to his carrot cake when his son Zupaone took the out the main sprint in Victoria at Caulfield.

A big crowd was on course at Canterbury with the sun shining and Flying Spur's first hero was in the opening event on the nine race card in the traditional Golden Slipper lead up when Krupt took out the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) with a tough effort.

Trained at Warwick Farm by Matthew Smith who now has his sights on the Group I Golden Slipper with Krupt after he stuck his neck out at the right time to claim his first win at stakes level. 

Smith believes the two-year-old will be a genuine chance in the Group One feature if he can draw a good barrier. 

Krupt had two previous runs under his belt and although he had not won Smith was sure the chestnut colt would be up to group class.  Smith had put his reputation on the line when he purchased the colt from the William Inglis Easter yearling sale for $450,000.  Krupt is now looking a good purchase and if he happens to win the feature his future is assured.

Krupt is out of the unraced Hennessy mare Categorical a half-sister to the Group 2 American stakes winner, Fit to Lead (by Fit to Fight).  

Forty minutes later Mentality led all the way to chalk up his first win this preparation when he clamed the scalp of the odds on favourite, Racing to Win, in the Group 2 Patinack Farm Canterbury Stakes (1550m).  

Settling well under Darren Beadman, Mentality was able to find the front without any early pressure.  Beadman let the four year-old use his big stride and got him into a good rhythm.  With his ears pricked the handsome chestnut never appeared to be under any threat from his rivals.  He proved too strong and fit for his rivals.  

In chalking up his sixth career win, Mentality took his earnings past $1.6million a healthy return for his owners as they had only paid $100,000 for him as a yearling at the 20005 William Inglis Easter sale. 

Mentality is already a dual Group 1 winner, with wins in the Randwick Guineas as a three year-old and the Champagne Stakes as at juvenile, he lifted another cog on Saturday taking the weight-for-age feature with ease. 

A couple of hours later in Victoria, Zupaone (ex Shizu by Manntari) lined up in the Sports Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield for trainers Sheila Laxon and John Symons.  

With Steve King in the saddle the four-year-old son of Flying Spur settled well back off the hot speed set by Morgan Dollar who got out with a nice break from Snowden and Northern Point.  As the field came around the turn, Morgan Dollar was still well clear at the 200m but got very tired from there.  Once into the clear, Zupaone charge home to win running away from Northern Point (West Point - Just Dance On by Amen Brother).

Zupaone has been plagued with problems throughout his career and with that solid win under his belt on Saturday hopefully the bay stallion can now build on his earlier Group 3 Spring Stakes victory.  As his trainers set him for Queensland's Group One sprints, the Doomben 10,000 (1350m) and the Stradbroke Hcp (1400m) this winter.

Back to Sydney and twenty minutes after Zupaone landed a solid plunge by punters, Flying Spur's pin up girl Forensics was sent out as the punters elect in the Group I Myer Queen of the Turf Stakes (1550m).

Forensics had won last year's Golden Slipper but performed below expectations during the spring in Victoria, being unplaced in four starts.  She either did not enjoy racing anti-clockwise in Melbourne or she was tired after such a hard juvenile campaign and without much of a break failed to fire. 

Forensics went back to Sydney in great order after her summer spell with her coat and muscle tone spot-on.  Thriving off that summer break she has returned to racing right-handed again with wins in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes and Golden Rose at her latest outings.  

Ridden by Dan Nikolic, Forensics, was given plenty of time to find her feet and she produced her brilliant sprint to surge over the top of her rivals in the run home, beating Perfect Drop (Quest For Fame - Dane Vintage by Danzero) by a length with Occurrence (Choisir - Happens by Barathea) another half-length away in third. 

"It was an enormous win," Nikolic told TVN's Richard Callendar. 

"There was no beating her today, it was a terrific effort. 

"She's got a great sprint." 

Trained at Warwick Farm for the Woodlands Stud syndicate by Peter Snowden who struggled to find the right words after her win.  Forensics had after all just given him his first success at the elite level.  

The emotion on his face said it all. 

Not only was the victory a career milestone for Snowden but it would be one of the last times he will saddle up a group one starter for Woodlands Stud syndicate boss Bob Ingham who recently sold his racing and breeding empire to Darley. 

"It's a result for everyone, not just for me but for my staff," Snowden said as tears appeared in his eyes. 

"It's a really humble moment for me, I'm really grateful." 

Forensics will have her next start in the Group I Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill in two weeks time.  She is nominated for the Doncaster Hcp (1600m) a week later but Snowden is yet to decide if he will back the three-year-old up against the older horses in the tough group one mile at Randwick. 

Forensics (ex Prove It by Dehere) has now won six of her 11 starts with earnings topping $3.1 million, an excellent return on the $900,000 she cost Woodlands Stud at the 2006 Australian Easter Yearling sale. 

With all this success 'The Spur's' progeny will be in high demand at the William Inglis Easter select sale where he has 30 yearlings on offer (April 20 -24th).  He has  three yearlings in the classic session (April 27- 28th).

Sunday March 23rd, 2008

Casino Prince stuck his head out when it mattered most to grab group one glory and send his stud value soaring at Randwick on Saturday when he grabbed the Group One Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) in a thrilling finish.  

Ridden by Damien Oliver, for trainer Anthony Cummings, Casino Prince sat off the speed for much of the race before coming with a strong finish to hit the front.  The son of Flying Spur showed plenty of courage when challenged by the fast finishing Tuesday Joy to win by a head.  Last year's Stradbroke Handicap winner Sniper's Bullet was a similar margin back in third place.

Casino Prince is raced by Cummings' wife Bernadette along with Ambulance officer Steve Smith, who won the share in Casino Prince in a Star City Casino raffle and the third partner is the big-spending Nathan Tinkler who recently bought a share in Casino Prince with a view to standing him at his property, Patinack Farm, when the horse retires.

Tinkler a relatively new player in the thoroughbred industry wasn't on track on Saturday, instead he spent the afternoon scouting for more horses to buy at the upcoming Magic Millions yearling sale which starts at the Gold Coast on Monday evening. 

The win, the first at Group One level for Casino Prince, was his fifth overall victory from his 20-start career. 

"It's a great result for Nathan and also Steve," a delighted Anthony Cummings said after the race.

"The horse really deserved a Group One win - he's been at the top level for a while now and it's great he's been able to win one."

Cummings said Casino Prince would race on two more occasions before his likely retirement to stud.

"There's the George Ryder and the Doncaster (Handicap) for him now."

Bred by Gerry Harvey's Baramul Stud, Casino Prince was purchased by Cummings for $140,000 from the 2005 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.

Being a son of Arrowfield Stud's Flying Spur who week in and week out, continues to churn out top class winners.  Last week it was Forensics winning the Group 2 Golden Rose and November Flight in the Group 3 Millie Fox Stakes.  This week he took his total of individual winners at the elite level to nine when Casino Prince claimed that most important win at the top level and in doing so he sent his own stud value soaring, more than trebling his racetrack earnings of more than $700,000.

The timing of Casino Prince's win was perfect for Magic Millions boss and Baramul Stud owner, Gerry Harvey, was perfect.  The Stud will be offering Casino Prince's three-quarter brother by Redoute's Choice during the fourth session of the Magic Millions Yearling sale next Thursday (March 27th), catalogued as lot 861. 

Casino Prince is out of the stakes placed four-time winner Lady Capel a sister to the Listed winner Just Awesome and the Group 3 AJC Emancipation Stakes winner Palia, the dam of the all-the-way debutant winner Fury (by Fusaichi Pegasus) at Caulfield on Saturday and his full brother Dr Green a dual Listed stakes winner. 

Lady Capel has been a very good producer along with Casino Prince she is also the dam of the Listed Christmas Cup winner, Lord of the Land (by Timber Country) and her dam is the stakes placed Kew Gardens (by Kenmare).

The group one win of Casino Prince at Randwick was complimented with the win of Virvacity (ex Cordate by Lahib) in the Carlton Draught Von Doussa Steeplechase (3250m) at Oakbank in South Australia.

Trained in Victoria by Darren Weir, Virvacity, is a very good jumper with six wins from 19-starts over the fences and unlikely many jumpers he loves firm ground and this year with Easter being nice and early Weir made the most of the six-year-olds talent to land the $100,000 event.  

Ridden by Tommy Logan, for his connections, Virvacity denied Eric Musgrove his 13th Von Doussa when he beat Conzeal (Zabeel - Concert Time by Artaius) with topweight and last year's winner Clearview Bay (Ignatius - Victory Lap by Match Winner) in third

Flying Spur stood the 2007 season at Arrowfield Stud for a fee of $99,000. 

March 16th, 2008

Golden Slipper winner Forensics proved beyond doubt that she has trained on into one of the best fillies in the country with a dazzling victory in Saturday's $1 million Group 2 Golden Rose (1400m). The run played out in similar fashion to her last start win in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes, Forensics coming with a booming run in the straight to mow down her stablemate El Cambio (Commands) to land this valuable contest at the end of the 1400m.

Forensics is the first Golden Slipper winner to win the Golden Rose since its inception five years ago and she continues the great run of success for Peter Snowden and the Crown Lodge runners. 

 "I'm really rapt and to get the quinella in a million-dollar race is fantastic," a smiling Snowden said afterwards. 

 "She gets back and to give horses like that eight or nine lengths on the turn, she is amazing."

 Forensics either did not enjoy racing anti-clockwise in Melbourne during the spring, or she was tired after such a hard juvenile campaign and without much of a break failed to fire.  A decent summer spell and once again enjoying her work and looking happier she has thrived since racing right-handed again. 

"She came back up to Sydney in great order, her coat and muscle tone were spot-on and I didn't have to do much," Snowden explained, after she had been in pre-training at Flemington with his son Paul.

"I really have to think what to do now. The Coolmore Classic is an option but we have to be careful how we place her now.”

Forensics (ex Prove It by Dehere) has now won five of her 10 starts with earnings topping $2.8 million, an excellent return on the $900,000 she cost Woodlands Stud at the 2006 Australian Easter Yearling sale.  She is by last season champion sire, Flying Spur, who was responsible for a stakes double and metropolitan treble on the card.  Forty minutes after Forensics claimed the feature on the Rosehill card, brave six-year-old mare November Flight posted her seventh and most significant win when she held off Absolutelyfabulous (Langfuhr - Joker's Girl by Rory's Jester) in a thrilling finish to grab the Group 3 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m).

Trained at Hawkesbury by Gary White, who is now considering the Listed Aspiration Quality (1600m) at Randwick in two weeks time as her next assignment, for his major backers Hobartville Stud.

November Flight is out of the Zabeel mare November Song a winner of two races in Queensland and a three-quarter sister to the stakes placed Flying Glory III (by Marauding) and a half-sister to the WATC Listed Champagne Quality Stakes winner, Crozier II (by Godswalk).  They hail from a family that has produced the STC Group I Golden Slipper winner, Century Miss (by Century) and the very fast Natural Blitz (by Maroof) winner of the Group I HKJC Hong Kong Sprint.

To top the day off for Flying Spur the progressive Dealer Principal (ex Volte by Marauding) took out the 3YO Hcp (1500m) to wrap up another fantastic day for the Arrowfield based son of Danehill.

If the measure of a good stallion is by the number of stakes horses he produces each season then Flying Spur sits easily into the 'good stallion' category, although, most of his progeny are based in New South Wales a state that's at a disadvantage this season because of the outbreak of equine influenza last spring, Flying Spur, is having a season against the odds.  Todate he has produced 73 individual winners from 210 starters earning more than $5.3million.  He has sired another two stakes winners along with Saturday's double of Forsenics and November Flight (ex November Song by Zabeel) being; Zupaone (ex Shizu by Manntari); winner of the SAJC Group 3 Spring Stakes and Maslins Beach (ex New Acquaintance by King's Island) winner of the Group 3 MVRC Tesio Stakes.  Flying Spur has had 12 progeny who have chalked up black type placing's, Okaylah (ex Cool Chick by Centaine), Kingda Ka (ex Fizzi Lizzi by Royal Academy), Sleek Chasis (ex Tigereye by Kaapstad), Lim's Fighter (ex Sky Watch by Star Watch), Magnus (ex Scandinavia by Snippets), Soleil (ex Blaze the Turf by Blazing Sword), Wind Shear (ex Kajar by Quest For Fame), Alverta (ex Grilse by Rahy), Casino Prince (ex Lady Capel by Last Tycoon), El Pauji (ex Tambara by Thunder Gulch), Bella Princess (ex Lady Birdblue by Bluebird) and Flying Alpha (ex Indexed by Marauding).

With all this success 'The Spur's' progeny will be in high demand at the Gold Coast Magic Millions sale (March 24 - April 2nd) where he has 43 yearlings listed for sale, another 30 are catalogued for the Inglis select session (April 20 -24th) along with three yearlings in the classic session (April 27- 28th).

January 14, 2008

Multiple Group 1-winning sire Flying Spur, has had a slow start to the 2007-08 season with the outbreak of equine influenza putting a holt to his steam rolling momentum from his last seasons' championship performance. With that break behind him he hit back over the weekend and he produced a treble of metropolitan winners. 

Our Spur bounced the ball for 'The Spur' at Caulfield in the opening race on the card and with top class jockey, Darren Gauci, in the saddle he jumped away well from barrier three in the seven horse Mal Seccull Handicap (2000m). Rolling to the front under Gauci's soft-hands Our Spur pricked his ears and went along at a very leisurely gallop out in front. Enjoying the day out under Gauci, Our Spur, responded when kicked clear of Tremezzo on the home turn. The pair fought it out all the way down the straight, with Our Spur proving too strong and he went on to score by three-quarters-of-a-length. 

Tremezzo (Encosta de Lago - Draft by Marauding) had two lengths on Stay All Day (Grosvenor - Centakin by Centaine) for third. 

Our Spur has been a wonderful servant to his trainer David Racovolis and his owner Mr Jim Racovolis and family - with Saturday's win taking his earnings past $450,000. With nine wins from 72 starts and 21-placings to his credit Our Spur has well and truly paid for himself. 

Jim Racovolis picked our Our Spur out of the 2002 William Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale where he paid $75,000 for him.

Our Spur is stakes placed as he was runner-up in the Listed VRC Gibson Carmichael Stakes, MRC Chester Manifold Stakes and the Caulfield Barton Stakes. 

Out of the Zabaleta mare Balfine a winner of seven races in Western Australia including the Listed WATC Emu Export Classic and a half-sister to the stakes placed Corporate Memory (by Corporate Raider).

Just under an hour later, Kingda Ka, led all-the way to claim the Tryst Food & Wine Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill. With Blake Shinn steering the bay three-year-old he got away best from barrier seven in the eight strong race and didn't give his opponents a chance to run out a solid winner over Tijuana (Dehere - Savire by Marscay) with Our Mossitque (Mossman - Unique Style by Rocket to Mars) in third.

Kingda Ka was purchased by his trainer Gai Waterhouse at the 2006 Magic Millions Gold Yearling Sale for $130,000 - with Saturday's victory giving Kingda Ka his second success in seven starts he's already banked more than $90,000 for his connections. 

Out of the Royal Academy mare Fizzi Lizzi - a half-sister to the VRC Group I Cantala Stakes and SAJC Group I South Australian Oaks heroine Miss Margaret (by Marscay) and Ambitious Leader (by Bluebird) winner of seven races including the Group 2 WATC Karrakatta Plates as a juvenile.

Across Bass Strait, Curio broke his maiden with a long neck effort at Elwick in Tasmania to give Flying Spur his treble. 

Curio is out of the American mare, Enhearten (by Smarten) a winner of five races in the States and a half-sister to the Listed stakes winner, Media Girl (by T V Commerical).

Topping the weekend off for Flying Spur was Lucky Diva (Perugino - Lucky Witch), who was scheduled to have her first date with him last spring but due to the travel restrictions with the outbreak of equine influenza that was put on hold. On Saturday at Caulfield she made her return to the racetrack and won the Robert Hunter Handicap (1400m) in solid fashion.

November 8th, 2007

At Flemington on VRC Oaks day, the Flying Spur stakes winning mare Soleil rounded out her career in the best possible way with a narrow win in the opening race on the card.

Soleil was coming off a well beaten ninth in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes at Caulfield on October 20th, and with the drop in class today, she proved too strong for La Chasseuse in the Crown Trophy (1100m). 

Soleil is in foal to Bel Esprit and will go straight home to trainer John Ledger's Wangaratta property to prepare for her new life as a broodmare.  

"She is 45 days in foal to Bel Esprit and this is her last race," Ledger said. 

"We bred her and it's so great for her to finish this way." 

Soleil, who is owned by David Strain and Ledger's wife Kerrie, earned black type with her win in the Christmas Stakes on Boxing Day last year. 

She is by Flying Spur out of Blaze The Turf (by Blazing Sword), who was also prepared by Ledger and won four races including the Group 3 MRC Autumn Stakes.  A half-sister to Intelligent Star (by Picnicker), winner of the Group 3 MRC Rubiton Stakes.  She hails from the family that's produced  Eau D'Etoile (by Sir Tristram), Group 3 Manawatu Eulogy Stakes, Filante (by Star Way), Group I AJC Epsom Hcp and MRC Caulfield Stakes, Bint Marscay (by Marscay), Group I STC Golden Slipper, Bollinger (by Dehere), Group I STC Coolmore Classic, Benicio (by More Than Ready), Group I VRC Victoria Derby and Stella Cadente (by Centaine), MVRC Group I Australia Stakes, so the family has plenty to back her future foal.

Soleil retires with seven wins and nine placings from 34 starts for earnings of more than $270,000.

October 30th, 2007

Maslins Beach ($80,000 2005 Easter, ex New Acquaintance) has been racing consistently without a lot of luck in Melbourne so she deserved a slice of good fortune on Saturday when dead-heating with Autumn Jeuney in the Group 2 Inglis Mile at Moonee Valley on Saturday. 

Trained by Anthony Cummings, Maslins Beach finished with a flourish to dive at Autumn Jeuney (Jeune - Autumn Moments by At Talaq) on the line.  Maslins Beach, already a Listed winner of the Sunshine Coast Guineas, collected her second victory in a black-type event, with the victory being her first group success.  With four wins from just a 15-start career she has plenty to offer.  

Maslins Beach, who was consigned for sale by Vinery Stud as agent, and whose Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1) winning half-brother Knowledge (Last Tycoon) sold for $180,000 at the 1996 Australian Easter Yearling Sale. 

Last year’s Champion Sire Flying Spur has another outstanding crop of yearlings entered for the Australian Easter Yearling and Melbourne Premier Yearling Sales in 2008 with 50 yearlings split between the two sales.

July 8th, 2007

The theme of the 2006-07 has been the rise and rise of Flying Spur and on Saturday he was at it again producing an interstate treble.  

In Queensland at Eagle Farm, Rasmussen jumped away best in the Listed Ascot Handicap to take the early lead, but he was soon headed by Messiaen who took them along at a solid tempo.  Rasmussen, ridden by John Powell, settled in second a length behind Messiaen and when they swung for home Powell gave the four-year-old more reign and he extended away from his rivals to chalk up Flying Spur's 58th stakes winner.

Trained at the Gold Coast by Gillian Heinrich, Rasmussen, will be given a short let up and he will be aimed at the rich spring sprints in Victoria. 

Having his tenth career start, Rasmussen, chalked up his sixth win when he broke away from Messiaen and he held off Son of Dane to score by a 1-1/4 length.  Another son of the Spur's ran third, Rockford Bay (ex Pampas Dancer by Laudham Star), a head away. 

Rasmussen  bounced back off a hard run in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1200m) at Ipswich on June 16 when he finished ninth.

Heinrich, who earlier in the day won with Tour Guide, another son of Flying Spur's, in the Desmain Plate (1200m), must be looking forward to the spring with both horses.

Tour Guide bounced away from barrier six in the 13-strong field to find the front and he was never headed again to score an all-the-way victory.

Tour Guide, having his first start since winning at Doomben in January, had too much class on his rivals when he downed the well-backed Two Fingers (Irish Royal - Jans Return) by 1-1/4 lengths with Bold Reason (Sinspiel - Gay Performance) a half-length away in third.

Capping the day off for 'the spur' was the win of Wind Shier (ex Kajar by Quest for Fame) for Dale Sutton in the opening juvenile race on the Geelong card.

July 1st, 2007

The Spur has ensured he is Australia's number one stallion this season when his progressive daughter Maslins Beach capped a memorable season for the son of Danehill when she captured the $100,000 Listed Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday. 

Given a positive ride by Corey Brown, Maslins Beach camped on the early speed before accelerating away to a two–lengths victory over Sequential Charm (Sequalo - Laudham Charm by Laudham Star) with Danehill Princess (Danehill - Gypsy Princess by Sadler's Wells) a half-neck away in third, a finish dominated by fillies. 

Haking her tenth career start, the highly strung Maslin’s Beach (ex New Acquaintance by Kings Island) broke her maiden at Warwick Farm on May 5, then made it back to back wins a fortnight later at Canterbury.  In search of some valuable black-type, trainer Anthony Cummings took the three-year old to Brisbane where she defeated all bar the Bart Cummings-trained Antidotes (Golden Snake) in the Listed Brisbane Plate (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 2. 

She had little luck when a close-up fourth to Sequential Charm in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) on June 11 but turned the tables on that filly with a minimum of fuss in the Listed event on Saturday.   

An $80,000 purchase by Cummings for Diamond Thoroughbred Syndications from the Vinery Stud consignment at the 2005 Easter Yearling sale, Maslins Beach is the ninth foal of the stakes-winning Kings Island mare New Acquaintance, whose three previous winners include the VATC Blue Diamond Stakes (G1) winner Knowledge (Last Tycoon).

Maslins Beach becomes the sixteenth stakes-winner for Flying Spur ( pictured) this season and his 57th stakes-winner overall. 

The son of Danehill leads just about every division this season.  He will be crowned leading sire and leading 2yo sire in Australia for 2006/2007 and also leads for number of individual stakes-winners (16) and graded stakes-winners (10) and ties with his Arrowfield barn-mate Redoute’s Choice for number of Group 1 winners (4). 

Flying Spur (120 winners) is currently locked in a three way battle with Lion Hunter (128) and Encosta de Lago (116) for number of individual winners for the season. 

June 3rd, 2007

It was Queensland Oaks day at Eagle Farm on Saturday and Australia's leading sire, Flying Spur, again figured in the results when his daughter Rosa's Spur scored an easy win in the Group 3 Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m).

Trained at Scone by Rodney Northam, the four-year-old grey settled mid-field under Craig Williams as Funlove took up the early lead and set a solid tempo for the 20 plus field.  Williams, had Rosa's Spur in a good position and travelling sweetly.  Rounding the home, Rosa's Spur was well back in the pack and travelling. 

As the early leaders start to capitulate, Williams was able to manoeuvre through the traffic without losing any momentum getting to J'Adane (Danehill - Affirmed lane by Affirmed) at the furlong and under hands and heels riding Rosa's Spur drew away to score a two-length victory.  

Storm Signal (Keltrice - Storm of Words by Nassipour) was third another half-length away.

Rosa's Spur was coming off a easy win in the Listed Dark Jewel Classic at Scone and on Saturday she gave her young trainer his first group success, the win was her sixth success and with five placing's from 27 starts her earnings have past $270,000.  

Rosa's Spur was a $310,000 purchase from the draft of Collingrove Stud at the 2004 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and she is the third foal of the Rory’s Jester Group Three winner Rosa’s Joy, a sister to Group Three winner Rosa’s Image and stakes-winner Rosa’s Path, and half-sister to stakes-winner Cohort, a winner of 10 races and over $600,000 in prizemoney. An excellent producer Rosa’s Joy is already the dam of stakes-winner Rosarino and metropolitan winners Rosa Brava and Joyous Rapture, so is four foals to race all winners. After producing a colt by Exceed and Excel last spring, she is back in foal to Rosa’s Spur’s sire Flying Spur.

April 22nd, 2007

Arrowfield Stud’s Flying Spur is enjoying a fabulous season and on Saturday he added another two new stakes-winners to his tally when Alverta won the Hawkesbury Guineas in New South Wales and Tornado Alley ran his rivals ragged in the Listed Dr John Power Quality at Eagle Farm in Queensland.

At Hawkesbury, the three year-old filly Alverta gave her young trainer Paul Messara with a career highlight in securing his first stakes success when the flashy chestnut, under Kathy O'Hara, travelled sweetly for her in fourth position, one back and one out, behind the early leader Eight Moons.  Rounding the home O'Hara made her move and Alverta sprinted home hard and finished too strongly for Five Ways (Red Ransom - Missa Brevis by Miswaki) with Eight Moons (Octagonal - Simoon by Palace Music) hanging on for third a half-length away in the 1400m Listed event.

Alverta was retained to race by Arrowfield and Mrs Renata Coleman, after she was passed in at the 2005 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, she has now won four of her seven starts with earnings of more than $100,000.  She is the fourth foal of the well-related Rahy mare Grilse, and was bred in partnership by Arrowfield and Gainsborough Stud.  Grilse is now based at Darley Stud where she has missed the last two seasons to the Danehill sires, Tiger Hill and Exceed and Excel.  

Arrowfield Stud sold the half-brother yearling to Alverta by French Deputy (USA) at the Inglis Easter Yearling sale for $100,000 to New Zealander Tom Murtagh of Esker Lodge.

Bred on the exact same cross as Alverta, was Flying Spur's second stakes winner the six year-old gelding Tornado Alley, who is also from a daughter of Rahy in Singing Angel. 

Prepared at the Gold Coast by Maryanne Thexton, Tornado Alley turned in a dominant performance in leading throughout to capture the Listed QTC Dr John Power Stakes over 1200 metres by a length-and-three-quarters over Daunting Lad (Latarmiss - New Day Dawning by Standaan).  Thexton, told Sky Channel that she will now set Tornado Alley for next month's Listed Prime Minister's Cup (1300m) at his home track and if he could win that he would get enough weight for his main mission this campaign the Group I Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 9th.

With 11 wins and eight placings from 34 starts, Tornado Alley has now won more than $390,000 in prizemoney representing a fantastic return on his modest purchase price of $15,000.  Thexton picked out of the 2002 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run sale. 

Capping the day off for Flying Spur was the effortless win of his daughter, Imagining (ex Episode by Scenic) in the Bow Mistress Handicap (1200m) at Sandown on the Lakeside course. 

Ridden by Greg Childs for Bart Cummings the four-year-old was resuming after a short break for her new owners and began well from her inside draw, travelling back in the pack behind the early leader Blushing Manta who set the pace.  As Blushing Manta cornered she moved away from the inside rail, Childs pushed her through the gap near the rail and the race was hers.  Imagining won by three-quarters-of-a-length without being asked to raise a sweat.  

The win by Imagining was her fifth from six career starts todate and she possess class. 

While in New South Wales, November Flight (ex November Song by Zabeel), signed the day off for the spur when she took out the $100,000 Woodlands Crown (1300m) by three-quarters-of-a-length from Doojah (Danewin - Nawadder by Marscay).

November Flight is trained at the track by Gary White and although she was up in grade the five-year-old never looked like being beaten on the day in recording her fourth win from her tenth outing.

April 2nd, 2007

The Sydney Turf Club presented five races at the elite level on Saturday and it's showcase event the Golden Slipper was won by Forensics a daughter of another Golden Slipper winner, Flying Spur.

Trained for Woodlands Stud by John Hawkes at Warwick Farm the filly was ridden by Damien Oliver and began well from barrier one.  Racing just behind the early speed set by Murtajill and Husson Lightning. Forensics was given the run of the race by Oliver as he elected to stay close to the rail as he rounded the home turn.  Asked for her final effort, Forensics (ex Prove It by Dehere) held of the challenge from Zizou (Fusaichi Pegasus ex Natural is My Name by Naturalism) to win by a short neck with Meurice (Strategic ex Espadon by Danehill) another three-quarters-of-a-length away in third.

Both Forensics and Zizou descend from the Grand Chaudiere mare Easy Date, the dam of the outstanding racehorse and sire, Snippets.  Besides the triple Group 1 winner Snippets, Easy Date left three other stakes-winners including the Group 2 winner Quick Score and the Listed winners Asawir and True Blonde. 

Asawir is the grandam of Group 1 winner Rewaaya (Singspiel) while True Blond left the multiple Listed winner Regrowth (Unbridled’s Song). 

Another daughter of Easy Date, Singles Bar, is the dam of Arrowfield Stud’s popular young Redoute’s Choice stallion, Not a Single Doubt and the Naturalism mare Natural Is My Name, the dam of Slipper runner-up Zizou.

The first foal of True Blonde, Prove It (Dehere) did not reach the racetrack and left just two foals, a filly and a colt by Flying Spur.  She died in 2005.

The filly was offered for sale by Arrowfield Stud and Trevor Lobb from Woodlands admired the filly so much they paid $900,000 for her.

Forensics is having her first preparation which makes the win even more remarkable and it gave ‘The Spur’ eight winners at the highest level from his 93 stakes performers. Flying Spur also has produced the Group I Blue Diamond Stakes and Golden Slipper double, like his stablemate, Redoute’s Choice. He did this with Sleek Chassis taking out Victoria’s premier two-year-old event. With progeny earnings topping $56million it won't be surprising to see the 'Full Book' sign hanging outside his stable door very early this year.

March 27th, 2007

A dark, wet bleak day at Warwick Farm on Sunday was transformed for the connections of Magnus when he displayed his honesty and courage again to claim the Group I The Galaxy (1200m).

The Flying Spur horse started as the punters second elect and he was ridden by Damien Oliver.  Jumping away well from the barriers Magnus travelled on the speed behind the early leader Crepe de Chine closely followed by Ticklish.  Rounding the turn, Oliver had Magnus four horses away from the fence and in the perfect position to challenge on the dead rated surface.  Once balanced Oliver asked Magnus to sprint hard and he did to defy all challengers and claim his first win at the elite level.

His trainer Peter Moody was thrilled with the win as Magnus has had a tough preparation, first up from a short summer break he finished second in the Group I Lightning Stakes (1000M) behind Miss Andretti only beaten 1-1/2 lengths.  He fronted up in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and produced another honest effort behind the top class Undue when third.  He then faced the starter in the Newmarket Handicap where he finished fourth in one of the fastest six-furlongs for a decade behind the speed Queens Miss Andretti and Gold Edition with Undue nosing him out of third prizemoney.

Moody told TVN that the win was his breeders', Robert Crabtree's first at the elite level - after registering 14 placings with other horses over the years and that they would now consider a campaign in Europe now he had the elite level victory on his resume.

Moody told Shelly Hancox on Sport 927 the following Monday that he had watched Choisir and Takeover Target when they conquered the northern hemisphere sprinters and that he had drawn inspiration from them.

Moody also went on to say that his stables at Caulfield belonged to Angus Armanasco and the box that Magnus lives in is the same box that housed Bletchingly. 

He then went on to tell her that Magnus wouldn't necessarily take on Miss Andretti in races such as the Golden Jubilee and King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

"There's a fair chance he might go to Europe and run in the main sprint on Arc day."

The Galaxy was the second leg of the Australian Jockey Club's sprint series with Spark Of Life (seventh) taking out the first leg, the Challenge Stakes. Connections of any horse which can win three of the four sprint races will receive a $250,000 bonus.

Magnus had a half-neck on Fast 'N' Famous (Redoute's Choice - Zalina by Zabeel) with Mac's Tune (Macksped - Just in Tune by The Blues) another length away in third.

Magnus is the third foal of the dual stakes winning Scandinavia, a daughter of another Galaxy winner Snippets. 

Scandinavia has a two-year-old colt by Bel Esprit named Ibsen, a yearling colt by Exceed and Excel, which will be offered by Eliza Park at the Easter Yearling Sale on the third day April 12 as Lot 461, and a weanling filly by Bel Esprit. She was covered by first season sire God’s Own last spring. 

Flying Spur has 19 yearlings catalogued for sale over the three days at Newmarket. 

March 18th, 2007

This week Alan Porter looks at the pedigree of Flying Spur's latest juvenile Group I winner, SLEEK CHASSIS.

Flying Spur has been on something of a tear this season, and it continued with Shaft taking the Silver Slipper Stakes (G2) on his debut, and Sleek Chassis winning the Blue Diamond Stakes.

These two wins took Flying Spur’s total of stakes winners for the current season to 12, and they also include the Group I winner, Mentality, Randwick Guineas winner (G1), Alister Clark Stakes (G2) winner Casino Prince, and the Linlithgow Stakes (G2) winner Magnus.

Sleek Chassis is out of the Kaapstad mare, Tigereye. She won twice over sprint distance, and finished fourth in the Mercedes-Benz Stakes and Reginald Allen Quality Handicap. Tigereye is half-sister to a much better runner in the Nassipour horse, Marble Halls. He numbered the Doomben Classic (G3), Craiglee Stakes (G2), Turnbull Stakes (G1) and Toorak Handicap (G1) among his triumphs. Sleek Chassis’s grandam, Joolzy, never won, but the daughter of Noble Bijou was three-parts-sister to Powley, heroine of the George Adams Handicap (G1) and New Zealand 1,000 Guineas (G1), who was by Noble Bijou, out of Joolzy’s grandam, Mellay Vite. That daughter of Mellay won the CJC Metropolitan Handicap, and was a sister to black-type winners Sir James and Waronui.

Sleek Chassis is the first stakes winner from the four foals sired by Flying Spur out of mares by Kaapstad, and he hasn’t had a stakes winner out of a mare by Kaapstad’s sire, Sir Tristam. However, he does have four other stakes winners out of mares by sons of Sir Tristram, and they include his highest earner, Juanmo. Danehill himself sired grade one winner Lucky Owners and grade two winners Ribe out of mares by Kaapstad, and the Danehill/Sir Tristram cross has produced nearly 50 stakes winners, including such stars as Nothin’ Leica Dane, Dane Ripper, Danske, Blackfriars, Darcy Brahma, Viking Ruler and Larrocha. Viking Ruler was by Danehill out of a three-parts-sister to Kaapstad, and Danehill also got stakes winner Court of Jewels out of a sister to Kaapstad, and Danewin and Commands out of a half-sister to Kaapstad, so it’s no surprise to see the mating work. 

Of course, any Flying Spur/Sir Tristram cross gives a double of Sir Ivor, sire of the second dam of Flying Spur, and of Sir Tristram. The pedigree also has a couple of other interesting elements. Flying Spur is inbred to Northern Dancer, and Noble Bijou, the sire of Sleek Chassis’s second dam, is by Vaguely Noble, who is bred on a reverse Hyperion/Nearco cross to Nearctic, the sire of Northern Dancer. Noble Bijou’s grandam, Searching, is a three-parts-sister to Busanda, who is in the pedigree of Danehill, through her son, Buckpasser.

March 12th, 2007

At Randwick on Saturday, Flying Spur's top class son Mentality, returned to his own age group and stamped his class with a top class victory in the Group I Randwick Guineas (1600m).

A golden chestnut who bungled the start under Darren Beadman travelled out wide with cover.  Rounding the home turn once Beadman had him balanced up the three-year-old proved too good and overhaul the only other proven Group One performer in the race, Teranaba (Anabaa - Tristera by Sir Tristram), by a length, Sniper's Bullet (Bite The Bullet - Yallah Terrace by Yallah Prince) was a length-and-a-quarter further away in third.

Beadman told TVN, "He turned his head as they jumped...but today he raced very kind for me. He worked with me, normally he likes to get on the speed and run a bit."

Peter Snowden, representing trainer John Hawkes, told TVN, "He's been mixing it with the very best and it's hard for a three-year-old to take on weight-for-age horses." 

Mentality takes his record to five wins three seconds and three thirds from 14 starts.

Bred by Arrowfield Stud and Alan Jone’s Belford Productions, Mentality was purchased by John Hawkes for $100,000 at the 2005 William Inglis & Son Easter Yearling Sale. He is the third foal and first Australian bred foal of the Quiet American mare Synaesthesia, a half sister to Saratoga Test Stakes (G1) winner Fara’s Team, the dam of Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Concern.

Synaesthesia has a yearling filly by Hussonet, which is entered for the William Inglis & Son Easter Yearling sale, a filly foal by Falbrav and was covered by Redoute’s Choice last spring. 

March 5th, 2007

Another weekend over - and another group winner for Arrowfield Studs Flying Spur when Forensics claimed a fabulous win in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

Forensics was again ridden by Darren Beadman and blessed with barrier one, Beadman was able to ride her off the speed.  Although the race presented with more depth, the Woodlands Stud owned filly, was able frank her outstanding debut win at Canterbury, with another dominant victory in six-furlong stakes event.

Forensics, easily gathered in the early leader I Am Invincible and won by three-quarters-of-a-length from Warhead (Viscount - Camena by Snippets), who ran an outstanding race on debut.

I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit - Cannarelle by Canny Lad) showed plenty of heart to hold on for third a length and a-quarter away.

Forensics has firmed in the betting for the Group One STC Golden Slipper, to be held at Rosehill on March 31st. 

Forensics was the top priced Flying Spur yearling sold at public auction in 2006 and she is one of only 65 live foals from the 2004 crop by 'The Spur'. 

Forensics hails from Segenhoe Stud’s great foundation mare Easy Date, who is most widely remembered as the dam of Snippets, but her daughters are now beginning to emerge with equal dominance.

Easy Date left two stakes winning fillies – True Blonde, whose first foal Prove It is now the dam of Forensics, and Asawir, whose first filly Nasmah is now the dam of Rewaaya. 

Remarkably Forensics and Rewaaya are both first foals as well. Along with Zizou, Not A Single Doubt, Fun In Fligth and Regrowth who are all first foals of daughters or grand-daughters of Easy Date. 

Flying Spur has a quality line up of 19 yearlings at the 2007 William Inglis & Son Australian Easter Yearling Sale (April 10-12). 

February 25th, 2006

It was a 'red-letter' day for Flying Spur on Saturday when he produced a treble of winners including the two features on the main card of racing in Victoria and New South Wales.

One of the truly under-rated race horses of his era he has more than held his own since his new venture at stud producing winners on a daily basis and Saturday was one right out of the box for the son of Danehill. 

In Victoria, the David Hayes-trained Sleek Chassis (ex Tigereye by Kaapstad), gave jockey Dwayne Dunn his third consecutive win in the Group I $1 million Arrowfield Stud Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield then twenty minutes later in New South Wales, Shaft (ex Traceable by Rahy) made a winning debut in the Group 2 Sliver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill.

Victoria's premier juvenile race at Caulfield gave trainer David Hayes his fourth win and it was the second consecutive year he has taken the quinella with Zizou running second. 

Last year Hayes-trained Nadeem beat Miss Finland to win the race. 

Dunn won aboard the Mark Kavanagh-trained Undoubtedly in 2005. 

Shrewd Rhythm ran third in Saturday's race in which early leader Victory Chant took the field along at a solid tempo however he compounded not long after he turned into the home straight.  Sleek Chassis had travelled behind Victory Chant, Zizou and Tis Folly for the first half of the race with cover.  Rounding the home turn Dunn gave Sleek Chassis plenty of room and the filly sprinted home hard to chalk up Flying Spur's sixth group one winner.

Zizou (Fusaichi Pegasus - Natural is My Name by Naturalism) stuck to his guns for a game second after being set alight from his outside barrier and travelling on the speed while last start Blue Diamond Prelude (colts) winner Shrewd Rhythm (Danehill Dancer - Balcanny by Canny Lad) was third, just ahead of Blue Diamond Prelude (fillies) winner Camarilla (Elusive Quality - Camarena by Danehill). 

Sleek Chassis is raced by her breeders' Bob and Rose Scarborough and she was coming off a last start win in the MVRC Listed Talindert Stakes (1000m) and he record now reads three wins and a second from four career starts for earnings of more than  $700,000. 

Sleek Chassis is the third foal of the metropolitan winning Kaapstad mare Tigereye, a half-sister to the Group I Toorak Hcp winner Marble Halls (by Nassipour).  Tigereye has a colt foal by More Than Ready and she was covered by Flying Spur again last spring. 

Twenty minutes later In New South Wales at Rosehill, Shaft made his debut.  Trained by John Hawkes the colt was ridden by Darren Beadman and he jumped away well from barrier eight.  Being positive Beadman settled Shaft on the rail in third position behind the early leader Miss Watagan.  Once they rounded the home turn Beadman was able to get Shaft around the tiring Miss Watagan and rode the colt out hands and heels with only a few slaps with the whip to hold off Husson Lightning (Hussonet  - Snip Snip by Snippets) a half-length with Murtajill (Rock Of Gibraltar - Skating by At Talaq) a short-head away in third.

Shaft was purchased at last years Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Woodlands Stud from the Arrowfield draft for $700,000. His dam Traceable by Rahy (USA) and although unraced she is a half-sister to the winning stakes placed  Kylikwong (by Red Ransom).  Traceable is out of the outstanding race mare, Tracy's Element (by Last Tycoon) a four-time Group I winner in South Africa and a sister to Towkay.  She is also a half-sister to Danasinga (Danehill), Topasannah (Commanche Run) and Cullen (Danehill). 

Capping the day off  for Flying Spur in Victoria his classy daughter Astrodame (ex Tirumani by Last Tycoon) resumed from a short summer spell to claim the Clamms Seafood Classic (1200m) by a neck from King Johannes (Cape Cross - Tivoli Hero by Clay Hero) with race favourite Going Spending (Dangerous - Go Spending by Prego) in third.

Astrodame is the daughter of the Last Tycoon mare Tirumani a half-sister to the stakes placegetters Campbell Fever and Tosamba.  Tirumani is out of the Group I Blue Diamond winner, Midnight Fever (by Luskin Star) a sister to Startling Lass, who is in turn the dam of the Danehill duo Shovhog and  Shovoff.

Tirumani has a two-year-old by Galileo as she missed to Flying Spur in 2005 and last spring she was served by Danzero.

February 18th, 2007

Another weekend gone and Flying Spur has done it again when his top juvenile Casino Prince returned to winning form to take out the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Casino Prince was able to settle in the early part of the race under Damien Oliver as La Salle, Lion Dream and Deferment battled for the early lead setting up a solid tempo.  The race changed complexion at the top of the home straight, with Furio racing to the front, only to be collared by Casino Prince, who was last until the point of the turn.  Casino Prince drew away to score by 1-1/4 lengths from Furio (Test Rossa - Central Express by Century) with Ambitious General (General Nediym Lake Lagoda by Military Plume) 3-1/2 lengths away in third.

One of the best juveniles last season, Casino Prince had been winless since capturing the Group Three AJC Skyline Stakes last autumn, but had found the line late in his second up run behind Listed winner Haradasun and he looked desperate for the mile and appeared well placed on Saturday where he appreciated the step up in distance.  

A slight gear change with the blinkers off and the winkers on he produce a top effort in winning the Group Two event.

Casino Prince has won four of his 11 starts earning more than $250,000 and will be well placed in similar events over the coming months.

Bred by Gerry Harvey and offered for sale under his Baramul Stud banner, Casino Prince proved an astute pick up for Anthony Cummings at the 2005 Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale.  Cummings had some inside knowledge as he trained the colt’s older half-brother Lord of the Land, who had shown good ability and subsequently became a stakes-winner of over $300,000 in prizemoney.

By Golden Slipper winner Flying Spur, Casino Prince is the fourth living foal of the Last Tycoon (IRE) mare Lady Capel, a stakes-placed full sister to Group Three winner Palia and stakes-winning sire Just Awesome.  

Flying Spur has five yearlings on offer at the Adelaide Magic Millions starting on Monday 19th Feb through till 22nd, 17 at the Inglis Premier Yearling sale in Melbourne (March 4-6), a lone entry at the New Zealand Carnival sale (March 9) and 19 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling sale.

February 12th, 2007

Woodlands Stud took the wraps off another potential top-liner last Friday night at Canterbury when Flying Spur filly Forensics (ex Prove It by Dehere) toyed with her rivals to score by 3-length debut win.

Settling well back in the field as stablemate Lobola (Anabaa - Love Dance by Kaapstad) bowled along in front, Forensics was angled out wide when rider, Darren Beadman, asked her to sprint she put the result beyond doubt to break her maiden status.

So impressive was Forensics, who was purchased at last year's William Inglis Easter sale for $900,000, she has been backed in both the Group I Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper on that effort.

Forensics dam Prove It, only registered one win in her career however she is a half-sister to the stakes winning Regrowth (by Unbridled's Song) and their stakes winning dam True Blonde (by Naturalism) is a half-sister to the wonderful stallion Snippets and stakes winning Quick Score and Asawir. 

February 4th, 2007

Arrowfield Stud's, Flying Spur was at it again on Saturday, producing an interstate stakes double.

In New South Wales, 'The Spur', was responsible for Mentality (ex Synaesthesia by Quiet American), who made a sensational return to racing claiming the $200,000 Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens.  

Jumping away well the chestnut got up on the bridle when Shane Treweek slowed the tempo on the early leader, Impaler.  Throwing his head and reefing for room Mentality's rider Darren Beadman moved away from the rail.  Racing hard on the bridle, Beadman, allowed Mentality to get to his top as they rounded the home turn.  Once into full stride he let down with a very slick 600m, clocking 33.33 seconds, and putting pay to his rivals to score by three-quarters-of-a-length over Fashions Afield (Redoute's Choice - Attire by Wild Again).

More Than Lucky (More Than Ready - Cerebella by Centro) was a neck away in third.

Mentality takes his record to four wins two seconds and two thirds from 12 starts with his career earnings of $649,785.

Bred by Arrowfield Stud and Alan Jone’s Belford Productions, Mentality was purchased by John Hawkes for $100,000 at the 2005 William Inglis & Son Easter Yearling Sale. He is the third foal and first Australian bred foal of the Quiet American mare Synaesthesia, a half sister to Saratoga Test Stakes (G1) winner Fara’s Team, the dam of Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Concern.

Synaesthesia has a yearling filly by Hussonet, which is entered for the William Inglis & Son Easter Yearling sale, a filly foal by Falbrav and was covered by Redoute’s Choice last spring. 

Earlier in the day in Victoria, the David Hayes trained Sleek Chassis took her record to two wins and a second from three career starts when winning the Listed Talindert Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.

Sleek Chassis settled last early, as Afterwards took up the running from Rose Ceremony.  Craig Williams put Sleek Chassis into the race at the 700m and allowed the filly to make ground around the field.  As they turned Sleek Chassis pulled away from the pack to take Flying Spur's stakes winners total to 51.

Sleek Chassis is a homebred for Bob Scarborough’s Wood Nook Farm she is the third foal of the Sydney winning Kaapstad mare Tigereye, a half-sister to Scarborough’s Group I Toorak Hcp winner Marble Halls. 

Tigereye has a colt foal by More Than Ready and was covered by Flying Spur again last spring. 

January 27th, 2007

El Pauji is being set for next month's Magic Millions Three-Year-Old Classic at Morphettville after her solid win at Sandown. Trained by Lee Freedman and ridden by apprentice Sebastian Murphy, whose two-kilo allowance was vital in the victory, El Pauji (ex Tambara by Thunder Gulch) wore down Cinque (Red Ransom - Lucky Lucaya by Chief's Crown), who was beautifully rated in front by Craig Williams, to take out the TAB Power Pays Hcp (1400m) by a half-length. Wily Carol (Lion Hunter - Favourite Date by Kala Dancer) got going late to finish a further long neck back third.

"She's a tough, grinding filly and will probably be better over more ground I reckon," Murphy said after the Flying Spur filly scored after sitting second during the run.

A $120,000 purchase at the 2005 Gold Coast Magic Millions yearling sale, El Pauji is a half-sister to stakeswinner Upstaged who was runner-up in last month's Avondale Cup (2200m) in New Zealand.

El Pauji has now won four of her seven starts and is yet to miss a place but hasn't yet raced beyond 1400m.

The Morphettville Magic Millions Classic is run over 1600m on February 21.

In Queensland on Australia Day, Tour Guide (ex Needham Star by Mt. Livermore), earned a shot at Sydney's best three-year-olds when he showed his maiden win was no fluke at the Gold Coast last weekend when he scored a tough albeit narrow win in the Happy 50th John Sugarman Handicap at Doomben.

Gold Coast trainer Gillian Heinrich targeted the Royal Sovereign Stakes at Randwick on February 10 for Tour Guide after his maiden win and confirmed she would now press ahead with that plan.

"I've two weeks before that race and depending on flights, I'd ideally like to fly him down on the Wednesday night before the Royal Sovereign," Heinrich said.

"I like to keep them at home for as long as I can and that way he can have a trot on the Thursday morning and he'll be there ready for the race."

Tour Guide was given the run of the race by Glen Colless in third spot before easing off heels rounding the corner and sprinting quickly in the straight.

Runner-up Ima Joker took plenty of ground off Tour Guide in the last 100m to be beaten a half-head with Unintentional in third a further three lengths away.

January 14th, 2007

At the big Magic Millions on the Gold Coast on Saturday, the locals drew first blood with the Gillian Heinrich prepared three-year-old Tour Guide scoring a runaway win in the $101,775 Queensland Events Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1200m) at the Gold Coast.

Prepared on the track, Tour Guide jumped out of the barriers swiftly and led from start to finish. Over the concluding stages he managed to draw clear of the favourite Air Raid and the margin at the post was a length and three quarters.

Heinrich, who purchased the son of Flying Spur for $210,000 at the 2005 Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Yearling Sale, was beaming after the race.

"We had this race picked out for him six months ago," she commented. "And it's nice when a plan comes off."

The recently gelded Tour Guide could head to Sydney later this campaign if he continued to race well.

"It would be nice to go back there (to Sydney)," Heinrich added. "There's a few nice races during the autumn."

Tour Guide, ridden to victory by unheralded local hoop Daniel Griffin, now boasts the impressive race record of a win and three placings from just five starts.

His only unplaced run was his ninth placing behind Golden Slipper favourite Casino Prince in the Skyline Stakes at Randwick.

"His work had been really good and he went great in a trial about ten days ago," she added. "I was confident he'd be hard to beat today."

The win was a fitting result for trainer Gillian Heinrich and her husband Hoss. They sponsor the second race on today's $3.5 million card - the Heinrich Group 2YO Plate (900m).

Tour Guide is one of three winners from as many runners from the American stakes performed Mt. Livermore mare Needham Star.

Members of his female family include star Australian stakes winners Diatribe and Al Samer.

Another close relation is the champion sire Danehill. His dam Razyana is a half sister to Needham Star's dam Passing Gull.

Flying Spur capped a wonderful day off for Heinrich when he produced the winner of the last race on the Magic Millions card, Spur Me On.

Spur Me On (ex Finito Fling by Luskin Star) had an easy three-length win in the Waterford Crystal Magic Millions Plate (1200m).  In doing so he chalked up his seventh career victory and took his earnings past $200,000.

December 28th, 2006

  Champion sire Flying Spur reached another milestone at Caulfield on when his four-year-old daughter Soleil became his 50th stakeswinner.
  On a day when the Golden Slipper winning stallion also produced two-year-old winners in Sydney and Melbourne, Soleil scored a bold all-the-way win in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m).
  For trainer John Ledger the win provided added hope for the mare’s mother and a half sister, both of which he owns.
  Soleils’ stakeswinning dam, Blaze the Turf, won the Zeditave and Autumn Stakes and more than $220,000 in stakes for Ledger and part-owner David Strain who retained her as a broodmare.
  Blaze The Turf hails from the same family as Golden Slipper winner Bint Marscay and Group 1 winners Filante and Kenny’s Best Pal. 
  Her half-brother Intelligent Star was also a smart sprinter who won the 2001 Christmas Stakes.
  With his pair of 2YO winners, Flying Spur has shot into the Top 10 on the Leading 2YO Sires List. 
  The two juvenile wins came within 20 minutes of each other with Sleek Chassis dominating the 1000m Allan Wicks Plate at Caulfield followed by Espurante making easy work of 1200m Barcardi Breezer Handicap at Randwick.
  Sleek Chassis is raced by her owner breeder Bob Scarborough and is out of his former smart racemare Tigereye, a Kaapstad half sister to Group 1 winner Marble Halls.
  The filly was a runaway winner by 2¾ lengths in the very smart time of 57.9 seconds and is being targeted at the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes.
  Espurante, a daughter of the stakeswinning Centaine mare La Rose Noir, was a $260,000 yearling purchase by her trainer John O’Shea at the 2006 Magic Millions. 
She is now likely to tackle the $1million Magic Millions Classic for 2YOs on January 13th.
  Flying Spur’s 50th stakeswinners have come from a total of 710 runners – a ratio of 7% stakeswinners to runners. He has sired five Group 1 winners and has a further 39 stakes placed runners.
 Flying Spur has also been Champion Sire by Winners for the past two seasons in Australia and currently holds a commanding lead that should see him add a third title in 2007.
  The Arrowfield stallion has 30 yearlings catalogued for the forthcoming Magic Millions Sale on the Gold Coast.

December 19th, 2006

He's done it again 'The Spur' sired an interstate metropolitan double on Saturday including another black type winner.

In Queensland, Flying Alpha, gave Flying Spur his 49th stakes winner.  Flying Alpha was given a nice run behind the early speed and finished over the top of Shepishir (Shepherd's Field - Elishir by Spectacular Spy) to claim the black type win by one-and-a-quarter lengths.  

Trained at Randwick by John O'Shea, Flying Alpha is raced by the Torryburn Stud Syndicate and her win gave the Marauding mare Indexed her first Listed winner. The dam of four foals and three winners, Indexed, is out of the Group 3 winner Zedagal (by The Judge).  A very fast mare, Zedagal is a sister to the successful sire, Zeditave, Square Deal and True Verdict who in turn is the dam of Verocative (by Bletchingly) the winner of the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes and the Listed P J Bell Handicap.  Verocative has been at stud for a few seasons and she has produced the recently retired, Jet Spur (Flying Spur) the winner of three races including the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint and Critical List a multiple winning stakes placed son of Danehill. 

Later in the day in Victoria at Sandown on the Hillside track the Lloyd Williams owned Imagining did her bit to maintain the momentum with a hard fought win at Sandown on Saturday to record her fourth win from as many starts.  In her wake were the stakes performed pair of Benko (Bianconi - Neranto by Esperanto) and Swinging Babe (Encosta de Lago - Slashing Sort by Blazing Sword).

Inglis report that, Mick Talty’s Edinglassie Stud will offer a close relation to Imagining at the 2007 Easter Yearling Sale. The Rock of Gibraltar colt, is out of a half sister to the dam of Imagining, Episode (by Scenic). 

November 29th, 2006

Another nice filly for 'The Spur' when El Pauji made it three wins from four starts at Sandown when she scored a tough victory in the But Beautiful Super Vobis Handicap (1300m) on Wednesday.

Raced by the successful Slade Bloodstock group, El Pauji is now unbeaten at both of her starts this campaign and she looks to have plenty of trips to the winner's enclosure in the future.

Trained at Rye by Lee Freedman, El Pauji has continued to please her trainer.

"She never wins by far, but she really loves to win," Freedman told Bruce Clark on TVN.

"He (Brent Stanley) gave her a lovely run, but about 200 metres out (from the finish) I thought the other horse (Rossi Bessi) would hang on."

El Pauji stretched her neck out right out on the line to edge out Rossi Bessi by a short head.

El Pauji is a half-sister to the black type winner Upstaged and she was purchased as a yearling by Rob and Corinna Slade for $120,000 at the 2005 Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast.

November 26th, 2006

Flying Spur's son Utility took out the last Victorian spring feature the Group Three Eclipse Stakes (1800m) in emphatic fashion at Sandown on Saturday.

Trained at Mornington by Pat Carey, Utility raced in fourth place, behind Duro Valley who began best and his rider, Michael Rodd, popped over his neck and relaxed in lovely fashion and set a moderate tempo. 

Steve King on Flash Trick, who had drawn off the track, went forward to join Duro Valley (Encosta de Lago - Opaque by Lord Seymour), while Utility raced behind them in fourth spot for Mark Zahra.  Zahra, came away from the fence to make the home turn wide and once balanced Zahra asked the five-year-old for his sprint home and Utility finished the race off strongly to beat Duro Valley (Encosta de Lago - Opaque by Lord Seymour) by a long neck and claim his first black type success.

Flash Trick (Success Express - Made of Magic by Lord Ballina) was the same margin away in third position.

In chalking up his sixth career win from 26-starts, Utility, became Flying Spur's 48th stakes winner.  Out of the Nassipour mare Pleasure, Utility becomes her second stakes winner as she has also left Piachay (by Danasinga), the winner of five races including the Group I QTC Brisbane Cup.  The family has plenty of depth as Pleasure is out of the Three Legs Group I Easter Stakes winning, Eastern Joy a sister to Josette Nicole who in turn is the dam of the MRC Group I Invitation Stakes and Group 3 Tristarc heroine, Pernod (by Centaine).  Another high-class performer, Russian Pearl (by Soviet Star), winner of the Group I Hong Kong Jockey Club's Stewards Cup and Levin Bayer Classic, also descends from the same family.

Carey told TVN, "The owner's have been fantastic and allowed me to make the horse.

"He will have a short break now and we will just look at continuing his development towards a mile-and-a-half," Carey continued. 

"He is a big lengthy horse and he has taken time to develop physically.

"He had the perfect ride and went through his gears when he was balanced.  Zahra was great and he (Utility) showed his devastating finish," Carey said. 

The win on Saturday made it two in a row after the five-year-old son of Flying Spur had claimed rising star's Trick of Light scalp over 2000m two weeks ago at Flemington during the cup carnival.  

Put Utility in your black book as he has plenty more wins in store.

November 12th, 2006

A "smashing" half-sister to Saturday's barnstorming Group One winner Divine Madonna will be one of the star attractions at January's Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast.

Trained by Mark Kavanagh, who selected and purchased her as a yearling from the Magic Millions sale at Morphettville in Adelaide, Divine Madonna came from last on the turn to get up and beat a crack field in the $750,000 feature at Flemington.

Leading South Australian thoroughbred nursery Mill Park Stud will offer a cracking half-sister by Flying Spur to Divine Madonna in January's sale.

The filly, chestnut in colour, has been catalogued as lot number 158 and will go under the hammer during the first session of the famous Queensland auction.

Magic Millions Adelaide manager Grant Burns says the filly would be a stand out in January.

"She is a smashing filly," Burns said. "She is typical of the foals from the mare (My Madonna) - she throws a lovely type every season and this filly is an absolute ripper."

"She is right up there with the best few yearlings I have seen all year," he added. "As well as being an outstanding individual she comes with a first class pedigree - she's a half to a Group One winner and a Group Three winner."

As well as being a half sister to Divine Madonna, the yearling filly is also a half sister to the Group Three winner Blessum and the prolific Adelaide winning speedster Maduro.

Earlier in the day, 'the spurs' son, Magnus (ex Scandinavia by Snippets) took out the weight-for-age major sprint on the card the Age Classic (registered name The Linlithgow Stakes). 

Trained by Peter Moody, Magnus, was coming off a great effort in the Group 1 Salinger Stakes the previous Saturday when he won the 'inside division of the race'.  

This week ridden by stable jockey Luke Nolen, Magnus, raced on the outside of his stable mate Murray Downs who showed the way down the famous 'Flemington straight six'.

Undue and Personal Ensign challenged Magnus and Murray Downs as all four fanned across the track on the 'grandstand side'.  As Murray Downs dropped off, Personal Ensign tired a little as Magnus and Undue got into a scrap for victory.

Duelling over the last fifty metres both horses gave plenty - but it was Magnus that got the stride in to claim his most important win.

Undue (Commands - Influence by Bletchingly) went down by a neck with Personal Ensign (Rubiton - Blue Gum Girl by Rancho Ruler) another short neck away in third. 

"He got to the front so it was a good effort to fight on and win," Moody said. 

The victory was Magnus' first in stakes or group races, thus giving Flying Spur his 46th black type winner, but he had been placed in the Group 2 International Sprint (1100m) at Caulfield, the Group 3 Shorts at Randwick and earlier in his spring campaign he finished fifth behind Miss Andretti in the Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.  He is raced by the Zoom Syndicate, Mr Rob Crabtree and partners who completed a winning double on the day as the syndicate also owns the David Hayes-trained Bond Street who won the opening event, the Sally Malay Sprint (1100m). 

Capping off a big day for Flying Spur was his five-year-old gelded son, Utility (ex Pleasure by Nassipour), who turned his form around to claim the last race on the card the Emirates Airline Handicap (2000m).

Utility pulled out a big run to claim Trick of Light (Dansili - Stardom by Known Fact) by three-quarters-of-a-length. He's a Perla (Red Ransom - Perla di Sasso by Caerleon) was another 1-3/4 lengths away in third.

October 15th, 2006

On Saturday at Eagle Farm, Enthusiast, made a spectacular return to form in the Premium Beef Quality (1200m) at Eagle Farm.

Prepared by Barry Baldwin at the track, Enthusiast began best and led all the way to score a convincing 1-1/4 length victory over Damigos (Danehill Dancer - Still Friends by Oenjay Star) with Rock Of Mufasa (King of Kings - Safyaat by Dancing Brave) a further three-quarters of a length away in third.

Enthusiast's rider, Shane Scriven, gave nothing else a chance riding the seven-year-old son of Flying Spur aggressively from his wide barrier and once in front he travelled sweetly and they never looked in danger of defeat against a good field of sprinters.

Enthusiast (ex Goldsumone by Gold Legend) took his his winning tally to 10 from his 34 starts that include a victory in the Listed Sir Edward Williams (1500m) on the same course last year.  

September 18th, 2006

At Moonee Valley on Saturday, the Flying Spur mare, Astrodame scored a great win in the Group 2 Independent Cranes Stakes (registered name: W H Stocks Stakes) pleasantly surprising her trainer Brian Mayfield-Smith.

Astrodame, has always shown she had the necessary class to win a group race with placings behind Hollow Bullet, VRC Oaks winner and Alinghi, 1,000 Guineas and Newmarket winner.

On Saturday Astrodame jumped from the extreme outside barrier settling out wide in the first furlong as Pinzero took off on her rider Mark Zahra to carve out the first 1000m under a minute.  With so much speed into the race, Astrodame, relaxed well under Daniel Moor and as other riders got itchy feet early Moor edged forward gradually.  Rounding the home turn the race was anyone's to take and Astrodame sprinted through a gap and went to the wire under hands and heels to hold off a late bid from Brockman's Lass (Encosta de Lago - Deal Me Out by Final Card) to score by a long neck.

Bella Bizarre (Dauberval - Baltriomphe by Balmerino), travelled on the speed and fought on very well to hold down third a half-length away.

Astrodame's (ex Tirumani by Last Tycoon) trainer, Brian Mayfield-Smith was delighted to see the five-year-old produce a Group 2 win after so many stakes placings and in spite of drawing the widest barrier in the big field of 15 mares.

"With the gate we were just going to keep attacking. He rode her beautifully and everything fell into place with that good run of hers. She deserves it because she's a very good mare and she's very honest," Mayfield-Smith told TVN.

"That's the biggest thrill I've ever had and I've got Brian Mayfield-Smith to thank", said Moor after the race. "He's been a pivotal point in my career."

"The owners of this horse have stuck by me through thick and thin. I've come away with two wins on the mare and she's just been fantastic.

Astrodame was purchased by her managing owner Ray Orloff for $170,000 at the William Inglis Easter Yearling Sale in 2003 from the draft of Kia Ora Stud as agent.  Astrodame is out of the Sydney winning Last Tycoon mare Tirumani a half-sister to the winning stakes placed Campbell Fever (Bluebird) and Tosamba (by Woodman).  

Tirumani in turn is a daughter of the wonderful race mare Midnight Fever (by Luskin Star), a Group 1 winner of the VATC Blue Diamond Stakes.  A sister to Startling Lass (by Luskin Star) who has produced the stakes winning Danehill duo Shovhog and Shovoff.  

September 12th, 2006

Primus clocked up his third stakes victory in the Group 3 Tramway Quality Hcp (1400m) at Randwick last Saturday.

Primus appeared poorly weighted in the Quality Hcp, being forced to carry 58kgs, the same weight as the Sydney Cup winner Mahtoum and only a kilo less than the Doncaster Hcp winner Patezza.

Ridden by Hugh Bowman, the four-year-old son of Flying Spur jumped well and settled in third spot behind Stormhill, who took up the role of pacemaker.

Stormhill controlled the tempo until the turn when Flaming joined in.  As the pressure increased Primus rolled into the perfect challenging spot on the outside and when Bowman asked him for his final effort he ran down Stormhill to score by a short neck with Flaming dropping off to finish a further two lengths away in third.

It was a great effort by Primus as he went into the race second-up after winning the Listed Show County Quality (1200m) at Randwick two weeks earlier.

His trainer John O'Shea told the local press that Primus would be aimed at the Group I Epsom and Toorak Handicaps, both over a mile.

Primus also holds an entry for the greatest weight for age race on the calendar the WS Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley in October.

August 28th, 2006

Karaka Premier Sale graduate Primus (ex Copa de Oro by Hector Protector) started his spring preparation in fine fashion, winning Saturday's Listed Show Champion Quality (1200m) at Randwick. 

The four-year-old son of 'The Spur' showed tenacity to gun down Resistor (Danehill - Volte by Marauding) by a short head.

Bred by Alan Galbraith, his trainer John O'Shea purchased the dual Listed winner from Rich Hill Stud at the 2004 Karaka Premier Sale for NZ$120,000. 

In addition to his listed wins, Primus has recorded a host of Group race placings with Group 1 thirds in the Rosehill, Caulfield and Randwick Canterbury Guineas and a fourth in the AJC Australian Derby at his last start. Primus now heads towards the Group 3 Tramway Handicap (1400m) in two weeks time prior to his journey south where he holds a nomination for the Group 1 WS Cox Plate.

In the meantime back in Australia the Gold Coast sprinter Rasmussen (ex Fleureel by Zabeel) booked a spot on Gillian Heinrich's float south for a Melbourne spring campaign with a decisive victory at Doomben. 

On Saturday the four-year-old was having his first start beyond 1200 metres in the Lexus Hcp (1350m) and downed Tycoon Rose (Flying Tycoon - Miss Hermoine by Scenic) by a half length. 

Ridden by his regular rider Glen Colless, Rasmussen, extended his record to four wins and a second from five starts, had a great deal of improvement in him. 

"It was always my plan to go out and relax on him," Colless said. 

Heinrich has the Listed Paris Lane Hcp (1400m) at Flemington in fortnight's time pencilled in for Rasmussen, while his travelling partner All Bar One is being aimed at the Group I Manikato Stakes (1200m) the following week at Moonee Valley.

Rasmussen was purchased by Heinrich from the Eliza Park Draft at the 2004 Adelaide Magic Millions sales for $115,000.  Rasmussen's dam Fleureel is out of Passefleur (by Vice Regal), dam of Melbourne Cup heroine Jezabeel and a sister to the stakes winning Dundas Lane also by Vice Regal. 

August 21st, 2006

Another weekend over and another fist full of winners for Flying Spur.

On Sunday at Flemington, the nicely-bred colt Zupaone made patrons sit up and take notice with an impressive win down the straight.

Trained at Seymour by John Symons, who has a huge opinion of Zupaone, said that he and his fellow owners have already knocked back a seven figure some for the son of Flying Spur out of 1999 Thousand Guineas winner Shizu.

"Potentially he might be better than Bel Esprit," Symons told TVN.

Symons had put the polish on the 2002 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Bel Esprit who went on to win the Doomben 10,000. 

Although it's winter Zupaone's coat appeared a deep rich red bay colour and appeared very bright walking around the enclosure a fantastic tribute to Symons as the colt had been under wraps as he had suffered a hairline crack to his cannon bone after a jumpout at Seymour last Christmas.

The delay to Zupaone's career may have been a blessing in disguise as he didn't step out until May 23 this year where he made a winning debut at Wangaratta.

Having his first outing for nine weeks in Sunday's Aspen Hcp (1000m), Zupaone powered home under Blake Shinn to score by 1-1/4 lengths from Top Tier with Accurate Gun a neck away third.

Symons told TVN that Zupaone's main target this spring is the Group I Caulfield Guineas to be run October 14th.

A day earlier in Sydney, at Rosehill, Flying Spur's group one winning son Mentality laid down a challenge of his own for the Group I Caulfield Guineas in making a tough return to competition after a winter break.

Mentality, carried 61 kilos in the Run To The Rose and got home by a nose under hands and heels riding by Darren Beadman.

Settling mid-field Mentality went to sleep beneath Beadman allowing the rider to make full use of his sprint he needed it the most as he gave the runner up He's No Pie Eater (Canny Lad - Ladies Day by Ascot Knight) six and a half kilos beating him by a nose. 

August 8th, 2006

Arrowfield Stud’s, FLYING SPUR, has secured back-to-back Champion Sire by Winners titles having sired 131 individual winners during the 2005-06 racing season in Australia. 

The official RISA (Racing Information Services Australia) figures depicted a thrilling finish. Flying Spur managed to take the title siring a double just a couple of days before the end of the season to edge one win past fellow Arrowfield bred Danehill stallion Lion Hunter to claim the championship. Flying Spur’s close relation Encosta de Lago finished third with 128 winners. 

Flying Spur won the title last year with his 267 runners generating 127 winners. This season he claimed the championship with less runners - his 256 runners, significantly less than both second and third placed sires (Lion Hunter had 285 runners while Encosta de Lago had 296 runners), generating 131 winners at a healthy 51.2% winners to runners. The 131 winners is also an Australian record. 

In addition, Flying Spur again finished among the leading sires with his progeny earning $5.9 million during the 2005/06 season placing him 6th behind fellow Arrowfield stallion Redoute’s Choice who captured his first title with progeny earnings of $11.1 million. 

Flying Spur had a great season all-round in 2005/06. He quashed the myth that he could not get a good colt with seven of his eight stakes winners during the season being colts including the Arrowfield bred and sold Group 1 winning juvenile colt Mentality. His other major runners for the season included Group 3 Skyline stakes winner and Golden Slipper favourite Casino Prince as well as the extra smart stakeswinning colts Primus,