Clinton McDonald has had a remarkable success in targeting the early weight for age races, particularly at his home track Caulfield.

There he was on Saturday, with Second Effort, taking out the Bletchingly Stakes, a race he had previously won with Regal Roller, eight years ago.

The plan is now firmly set, the next move is the Peter Lawrence Stakes, formerly the Liston Stakes, Regal Roller won the race nine years earlier, while Second Effort is on track to repeat his win of last year.

The Bletchingly didn’t pan out as expected when Elite Elle was left at the barrier, with race changing complexion, minus a genuine pace maker; she was never in the hunt at any stage thereafter.

Second Effort winning the Bletchingly Stakes

Second Effort travelled well in running, he raced in the middle of the field until called upon by Brad Rawiller, he rode the perfect race.

Pago Rock was disappointing after having won the Sir John Monash Stakes at his previous start, he only ran on fairly, he was a beaten horse a fair way out.

He may have been better off if his races were spaced further apart, that was the view of David Hayes’s foreman, Bruno Rouge-Serret.

Second Effort is by Mossman, a much underrated sire; he can get a good horse, they keep bobbing up with regularity such as Buffering, Love Conquers All, Triple Elegance, plus numerous other winners.

The return to scale 

Monkstone will be aimed at the better races in the spring after his win in the Download The Sportingbet APP Handicap, at Caulfield.

With the spring not much more than a month away, it is too late to turn him out, he will remain in the stable where he will be closely monitored, to ensure he retains his muscle.

He was purchased at the Sydney Easter Sales for a cool $1million; those that race the colt would like to see the ledger squared first before any discussions about a stud career is considered.

Being by Fastnet Rock he would have appeal as a sire, provided he wins Group races at this stage, it is only time that will tell.

He was not well served at the start of the race, appearing to buckle over coming out of the gates, from there on he was sitting back on the fence, four behind the tear away leader, Salute To Jude.

When Vlad Duric pushed the button, and he had to push hard, the colt finally responded, well to the satisfaction of those that had put up the million.

Now that he is getting to know what racing is all about, as it was just his second start in a race, and be all the better for the experience when he returns to the scene.

First starter, Sportegic, out of the Hawkes yard, turned in a nice run, he won’t remain a maiden for long.

Monkstone - The Million dollar colt

After a long run of outs, two years exactly, punters rallied to the cause sending out Midnight Glory equal favourite with Price of Glory, (no relation), this time he did deliver.

He was supported with confidence after being placed twice recently at Flemington and Caulfield, both were encouraging runs.

There are no immediate plans for the gelding, Darren Weir will make them as they come along, he has earned $262,000 from his five wins, with 10 minor placings making a fair contribution.

In a field of 10 he was last at one stage, but steadily made up ground from the 1200 metres to the home turn, where he put himself into a reasonable position.

He continued with a sustained run that saw him reach the lead around 50 metres out, St Mark was prominent for most of the trip, finishing second, he held on well as did Storm Burst.

The winner is by Invincible Spirit, giving him a double, as Pocket Rockets also won at Morphettville, the sire has been quite successful in both hemispheres.

Invincible Spirit proved a good sprinter in the U K, where he won at Group1 level at Haydock Park, he proved a popular sire while here, standing at Chatswood Stud, the current home of the Blue Diamond success, Reward For Effort

Midnight Glory - First win for two years.

There is still one more episode to come in the More Joyous saga, Eddie Hayson has been summoned to face Racing NSW Stewards on the 13^th of August, to show cause why he should not be warned off racing.

Hayson was the one that refused to assist stewards at the original enquiry with names of persons that could have shed more light on the enquiry.

Accordingly Hayson has been issued with a notice requiring him to show cause as to his apparent reasons why he will not co operate and divulge certain names of persons.

The consequences of being warned off include not being permitted to enter any racecourse, or training facility, not be able to have an interest in any thoroughbred race horse, and not being able to place a bet with a wagering operator.

Darwin is the perfect excuse to dodge the southern winter, an ideal temperature by day followed by soft balmy evenings.

Besides the great weather the major attraction is racing, the Darwin Cup, it gets bigger and better each year, a good reason to sneak a few days off at the top end.

The Darwin Cup is far more than another horse race; it has become an institution, experience it once and you have to see it again, it is a popular venue.

Race Clubs have to be entrepreneurs to keep pace with other forms of entertainment; they have to keep coming up with something new, a horse sale before the Cup on the 1^st of August, the horse’s birthday, is sure to add additional interest to a great carnival.

The Darwin Turf Club welcomes Australia’s leading bloodstock auctioneers, Magic Millions, to act as selling agents, with highly respected David Chester in his customary role as auctioneer.

Magic Millions will offer a $10,000 voucher to the winning connections of the highest placed horse, on one race, nominated by the Darwin Turf Club on its Cup Day race meeting in 2014.

The voucher may be redeemed on the purchase of a horse (s) at a Magic Millions Sale.

The winning connections will also be provided with complimentary travel to the 2014 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale 2X, return economy airfares to the Gold Coast, and up to four night’s twin-share luxury accommodation.

To qualify for the $10,000 voucher and travel prize, the winning horse must be a graduate of a Magic Millions Sale, including the Magic Millions Darwin Select Tried Sale, being held on the 1^st of August 2013, with 16 lots to be sold.