A flying visit to Adelaide paid off for Bendigo trainer, Mick Sell, when his mare, Penny To Sell, scored a nice win at Morphettville last Saturday.

He hit the road at 8 pm from Bendigo Thursday night, there was no dawdling along the way or any sightseeing trip either, this was a business trip, man on a mission.

Mick, who had recently vacated Kyneton in preference for Bendigo, has trained about a dozen winners since he has made the changeover.

Penny To Sell is no champion, Mick is the first to admit that, however, if you select the right races she can be pretty handy on her day.

Mick picked the right race for her on Saturday, whilst she was last for most of the race she was still in touch with the leading group, her rider, Talia Hope, carried out riding instructions to the letter, she is making the best of her riding opportunities.

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The Autumn Sun opened up his autumn campaign hardly in a blaze of glory, but what did you expect?

He is not yet fully wound up at this stage, he had to overcome an awkward position on the rails and he did win first up after a break.

His mission is the Randwick Guineas, from there,that is in the unknown, whether John Messara brings him back for another season, or the colt goes to stud.

Messara does have the midas touch, he has been so successful, he has made Redoute’s Choice and he will make The Autumn Sun.

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Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling sales proved successful, with a turnover of $2.999.000, with an excellent average of $27,769 for 108 lots sold.

Lot 63, a well presented colt by Fiorente, topped at $115,000 he was out the Savoire Vivre mare Love The Moment, she won the Tasmanian Oaks, the buyer was Spicer Thoroughbreds.

The Melbourne Cup winner is on the verge of siring a Stakes winner, it could be at Flemington on Saturday.

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 Lot 116, the colt by Charge Forward, changed hands at $100,000, his dam comes from a very stout female family that John Singleton had a lot of success with.

Charge Forward formerly stood at Arrowfield, he has since been relocated to Murrulla Stud at Wingen.

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National Defence, France’s leading two year old colt of last season will stand at Sun Stud in the 2019 stud season.  

The 2016 European 2 Year Old Colt’s Classifcations , 122 Churchill (Ire) European Champion, National Defence (GB) 118, and Caravaggio (USA) 116, he was unbeaten as a two year old.

National Defence is described as an attractive bay horse, very well balanced and a great mover, with lots of speed and energy, by Henri Bozo,Stud Manager”.                                            

He has a proven speed pedigree, his sire, Invincible Spirit, his sire is noted for that, evidence is I Am Invincible.

National Defence is a striking bay entire; he lacks for nothing, he is sure to make a great impression.