Dennis Marks was back at Flemington as the proud owner of Outback Joe, the horse he bred and races, winning the time honoured Bagot Handicap.

A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since 1991, 23 years ago, he was basically an unknown in racing circles, however, it didn’t take him long to make his presence felt.

His barnstorming campaign with just two horses in that spring of 1991 was unprecedented, winning seven Group1 races and Group 2; it cannot get any better than that.

Both horses, Richfield Lady and Let’s Elope remained undefeated that spring, each winning four races, the ones that count, all Group events.

Unfortunately Richfield Lady, who was clearly the superior three year old filly of the spring, died a few weeks after winning The Oaks.

After winning both Cups in the spring Let’s Elope retained her form in the autumn, she was still the star at weight for age, winning three times, including the Australian Cup.

When the mare retired, to the credit of Dennis Marks, he spared no expense having his mare, Let’s Elope, mated to an elite group of sires in various parts of the world, including Danzig, Seeking The Gold, Danehill, Red Ransom and Storm Cat

Outback Joe returning to scale.

She has produced 10 foals, 6 have raced, all have won races but nothing anywhere near in the image of their illustrious mother.

Generally the very best of our race mares are good breeders, there are no fertility problems, except the progeny rarely inherit the racecourse ability of their mothers, man is still out with that one.

It is appropriate that Dennis Marks selected Nigel Blackiston to train Let’s Elope’s second last foal, Outback Joe, the Bagot Handicap success.

Nigel was employed by Bart Cummings after coming from the U K; he was on hand when Let’s Elope, and Richfield Lady, arrived at the Flemington stables after coming from New Zealand.

Outback Joe might have just inherited that touch of staying ability from his dam, if so Dennis and Nigel could be back in the winner’s circle shortly.

There a quite a few options open for the gelding, Hobart, Sydneyand Adelaide Cups are all under consideration, it will be left to Nigel; he is a very competent trainer.

The winning combination -  Dennis Marks, Oisin Murphy, Nigel Blackiston