Seeing double!

SMB purchased Afica Light (God's Own) rounded out the Hong Kong racing season in good form with his second consecutive win for for owner James Ng and trainer Danny Shum.

Struggling to adapt to life in Hong Kong early days, the addition of blinkers and Zac Purton have seen a complete turn around for the former Victorian trained gelding who has scored over 1400m at his last two starts.

With a racing pattern that sees him settle back off the speed, there appears to be more wins in store for this improving galloper as he gets out to 1600m and beyond next season.

Storm brewing!

Street Storm works before the Kentucky Oaks-G1

After tipping over the $100k mark on the weekend with a good second, the beautifully bred US mare Street Storm is destined for quarantine in the US this week.

On her way to visit Rosemont Stud's first season sire Toorak Toff, Street Storm arrives with a strong turf pedigree being by one of the leading turf stallions in the US, Stormy Atlantic (70 stakes winners).

With her first 3 dams all stakes performers, she hails from the family of young Street Cry stallion Street Boss, a multiple Group 1 winning sprinter.

BULLBARS!

Heading over to New Zealand for the sales this Friday and look forward to catching up with the SMB purchased Bullbars (Elusive Quality).

A magnificent looking entire, there has been plenty happening in his family the last 6 months and he retires to stud with plenty of support already.


A metropolitan winner at his only start as 2YO Bullbars went on to win the Group 3 C.S. Hayes Stakes over 1400 metres at three, a race previously won by successful sires Zabeel, Starcraft, Mossman and Dash For Cash.

This was enough to have him start favourite for the Group 1 Australian Guineas where he finished second, as did O'Reilly, Starcraft, Mossman and Darci Brahma in their year.

Bullbars dam must be in among the most valuable mares at stud in Australasia. By the leading sire Singspiel, Bullbars was her first foal, the recently retired Champion 3YO Helmet was her second while her third is top class 2YO Epaulette who looks destined to win at Group 1 level for sure after a narrow second to Pierro in the Group 2 Todman Stakes.

Last time I saw him I was really impressed by the way he is letting down and I'm sure Brent Gillovic and the team at Highview Stud will have him cherry ripe for September 1st.

The Shrapnel show!

Great to get an invitation to the Kooringal Stud stallion parade during the week. Look forward to seeing the SMB purchased Shrapnel (Charge Forward) as he heads into his first year at stud in 2012.

A Group 2 winning sprinter and Group 1 placed, you would go a long way to find a better type and it will be interesting to see how he looks after a couple of months on the farm.

Red Ransom is going to be a leading sire of sires in my opinion with Duporth, Onemorenomore and All American all making their debut at yearling sales in 2013 with perhaps his lesser know sons already doing a notable job. He has already sired a number of high class 2YO's this season and the fact he clicks so well with Danehill line mares makes him even more appealing.

Stuart and Angus Lamont do a great job from their property up in Wagga Wagga and I'm sure a horse of Shrapnel's quality will get every chance to succeed. He only needs to get types that look anything like himself and I'm sure he will be well received.