If ever there was a glowing advertisement for stem cell therapy it has to be Saturday's Moonee Valley winner Viz Vitae. The David Hayes-trained galloper bowed a tendon in 2006, but after undergoing stem cell treatment the gelding came out to score a 20-length win at the Valley last weekend.

Viz Vitae had already won the Benalla Cup last spring and a hurdle at Sandown last month. Part-owner and Lindsay Park veterinarian Dr Campbell Baker is thrilled that the stem cell therapy is working on horses who would previously have had their racing careers ended.

"This horse suggests to us at Lindsay Park that no matter how severe the tendon injury, stem cells promise a complete regeneration of the damaged tissue," Dr Baker said after the Moonee Valley Hurdle win. "Whilst it is too soon to comment on the long-term outcomes of Vet Biotechnology's therapy, early results to date in terms of returning injured horses to the racetrack have been nothing short of stunning."

Hayes, who this season won his seventh Melbourne premiership and guided Viz Vitae’s successful return, also produced stem cell recipient Gorky Park to win the Andrew Ramsden Stakes over 3200m in the autumn.

Gorky Park subsequently spelled and is now back in work at Lindsay Park in preparation for the 2008 Melbourne Cup. To cap off a great weekend for Vet Biotechnology, Lanson, which has had autologous stem cell tendon implants in both forelegs, won The Metric Mile in Darwin.
Vet Biotechnology general manager David Bridgland said the successful performances of stem cell recipients such as Viz Vitae, Gorky Park, Valedictum, The Black Rod, Lanson and Kenviel, were timely reminders of the growing evidence that stem cell therapy is fast becoming the orthopaedic treatment of the 21st century.

Bridgland pointed out the timeliness of the latest focus on the therapy which comes as the foaling season is about to begin. One of the best sources of stem cells is from the umbilical cord of a new-born foal.

"The stem cells derived from the umbilical cord are cryo-stored for the life of the horse in readiness for the treatment of injury and illnes," Bridgland said. "Collecting the cord is like an insurance policy and will be a reassuring bonus for breeders who race their own produce and yearling buyers alike."

- Mike Hedge

Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre has warned that Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe favourite Montmartre is not a certain runner in the Longchamp showpiece on October 5. The Aga Khan's colt was very stiff after his outstanding victory in the Grand Prix de Paris, which left him as short as 3-1 market leader for the Arc.

"The Grand Prix was run in a very fast time and on very fast ground and the race has left its mark,” Royer-Dupre told Racing Post. "I thought it is important to let the betting public have this information.

"Montmartre was very stiff after the race and his Arc participation all depends on how he recovers. For the moment he is not sure to run in the Arc." The grey son of Montjeu rocketed to the head of the Arc market when routing a strong-looking field in the Grand Prix de Paris on July 14.

Eased down by Christophe Soumillon, he beat Prospect Wells by four lengths. Regardless of Montmartre, his connections have another string to their bow in the unbeaten superstar filly Zarkava, a dual Classic winner. "She is in great form but will stay at Chantilly and not be going to Deauville. Her target now is the Prix Vermeille," Royer-Dupre said.

While Montmartre may miss Europe's premier open-age race, American champion Curlin is still a candidate. The four-year-old worked well at Saratoga this week leaving owner Jess Jackson and trainer Steve Asmussen philosophical about his program. Two possibilities at Saratoga are the G1 Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap on turf on August 16, and the G1 Woodward Stakes on dirt on August 30. The G1 Pacific Classic Stakes on August 24 at Del Mar is another option.

- Mike Hedge

The inimitable Danehill has been joined by his father Danzig as the sire of 200 stakes winners thanks to the victory of Olympic in the Listed Mataji Stakes at Calder Racecourse last weekend. Along with Sadler's Wells, Danehill and Danzig are the only stallions to have produced 200 stakes winners - although Danehill is well clear with 349.

Danzig is followed on the list by Mr Prospector with 181 stakes winners, and Sunday Silence with 169. None of the top five are still in active service with Sadler's Wells the only member of the group still alive. Danzig topped the American general sire's list from 1991 to 1993. He was put down in 2006 at the age of 29 and hadn't covered a mare since 2004. He is the sire of 673 winners who have earned US$112,467,711. Olympic, a former member of the Coolmore team in Ireland, was purchased for US$3.6 million and ran once for his intial owners before being transferred to the US.

- Mike Hedge