Demonetization added another success for his sire, All Too Hard, when he proved too strong for the opposition in the Group 2 Jamieson Park Auckland Guineas, run over 1600 metres.

“The further they go the better he will be, I’m looking forward to autumn,” said his trainer, Nigel Tiley.

Demonetization has the Group 1 Vodahone New Zealand Derby, over 2400, as his grand final, but Tiley is yet to lock in the All Too Hard’s colt to the March feature.

“I have to choose whether we go to Wellington or not, that would give a nice break to the Avondale Guineas, and then the Derby, “said Tiley.

All Too Hard was undoubtedly an outstanding three year old, his progeny are now showing promise, Villermont could be the colt of the autumn, and Demonetization may not be that far away either

Demonetization by All Too Hard.

Lord of the Sky showed his rivals a clean set of plates when winning the Standish Handicap, since failing at Sandown in August.

The seven year old stallion looked a picture parading in the paddock, with a handler either side leading him.

Trainer, Robbie Laing, is surprised that no stud has picked him up, although really it is no surprise, the horse it too old, he won’t have progeny racing until he is 11 years of age.

Youth is dominating in the breeding industry, and that is not going to change, entires are going to stud once they turn three, investment is huge, but the name of the game is still youth.

Tim Hughes is no big time trainer, he has just three horses in work, however, he will never forget that very first winner, Crossing The Abbey, in the New Year Plate of 2018, the first race on the Flemington card.

Hughes works at breaking in horses and pre training, a blood count was taken of the filly she showed there was a white cell a little elevated.

It was an improvement on her run previously in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes back in October, when she finished fourth to Nomothaj, also at Flemington.

Craig Williams worked hard to land the filly a winner, but not as hard as Tim, many standing nearby may have thought his lungs were going to burst.

“My whole stomach was churning over, but it was great, I will never forget this day, what a relief, a great experience,” he said.

He will not mind going through that again if Crossing The Abbey can win the Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield on February 24.

Tim Hughes - Trainer of Crossing The Abbey 

To learn of the death of champion sire Blackfriars is a sad occasion, and a huge loss to the West Australian thoroughbred breeding industry.

He was 21 years of age and had just completed covering a book of 90 mares; he held the industry together in W A, he was a champion! That could never be questioned.

The 21 year old son of Danehill shattered a shoulder after colic surgery last week; he was a true gentleman and loved by all, “we are all in shock, “said Jeremy Smith of Scenic Lodge.

Blackfriars won the 1999 Victoria Derby, from Shogun Lodge and Diatribe, and had to defend it in the Steward’s room.

Blackfriars - Champion Sire in WA 

Fiorente had his first runner at Sandown last week; he was impressive enough to suggest he will not be a maiden for very much longer.

Named Templar, he was a shade slow out of the gate; he may have suited him further, although there were only six runners in the field.

He was doing little on the turn; however, when he got down to the business end of the job he looked good, another couple of strides and he may won, he is promising and will win races.

Simon Wilde, whose main training base is at Warrnambool, with a satellite stable at Ballarat, trained a winning double at Moonee Valley on Saturday, with each stable producing a winner.

Royal Applause opened proceedings when she won the Mccafe Handicap, in the very last stride, to win by the shortage of margins.

It was an interesting race though, after two scratchings the field was reduced to six runners.

Miles of Krishan made most of the early running, with Royal Applause in close pursuit for most of the trip.

It was a case of the more they win the better the price, she was a last start winner at Moonee Valley, yet the outsider of the field at nine dollars.

“It’s good to see her going so well, good track, a good ride, I am very pleased with the win,” said Simon Wilde.

Truly Discreet gave her rivals something to chase, she led for much of the running, once she reached the lead it was all over bar the shouting, she made a one act of the affair, she recorded an impressive win.

She is prepared by Dan O’Sullivan at Ballarat, a lightly raced filly with an impressive pedigree; she has great potential value as a brood mare if she can win another race or two.

Being by Teofilo, who was unbeaten champion as two year old in Europe, her dam, She’s Discreet, had a proven race record, she was an exceptional mare, besides winning six races, one at Group level, she produced 14 foals, 13 raced all were winners.

It is a very solid pedigree, a filly that would walk into any catalogue as the dam, She’s Discreet, is by Euclase, he showed a great turn of foot and was a brother to Rubiton, he proved a very good race horse and an excellent sire.

“This race was always on the radar for Truly Discreet, it is good money, she missed the start but soon made up the ground and won as she liked,”said Dan O’Sullivan.

Dan O'Sullivan

 Simon Wilde completed his first winning double at a metropolitan meeting, with Straight Jacket in the $99 Summer Membership Handicap, after having won the Bordertown Cup at his previous start.

He seldom comes to the city meetings unless it is warranted; both winners had form on the board, when he thinks he has a winning chance.

Straight Jacket was on the pace for much of the way, he sneaked away on the home turn which virtually won him the race, Multitude was putting in the long ones, the margin was a head.    

While both winners are currently in form there is no reason why each cannot win in similar company.

Simon Wilde had the Penshurst Cup marked in for the gelding’s next run, but after drawing so well at Moonee Valley it was too good to miss.

It was a break for Melissa Julius; she works hard around the Wilde stable and was rewarded with the winning ride on Straight Jacket.

Simon Wilde with Craig Williams

Dandy Gent is on a path to the Bagot Handicap on New Year’s Day, the race named in honour of Robert Cooper Bagot, the inaugural secretary of the Victoria Racing Club.

A win in the Bagot would influence his trainer, Terry O’Sullivan, to seriously consider the Adelaide Cup, which is still a few months off.

“He is a consistent horse without winning; he has now found a bit of definite form, his strike rate is not all that good, although been around the money keeps missing out on winning,’ he added.

“If they can get to the corner quickly they are hanging on well, there is not many coming   from behind,” said Terry O’Sullivan.

“He has had a few suspensory problems, we were out of action for a long time and coming back from an injury they usually take a bit of time, I thought his run at Sandown was good,” he added.

Terry O'Sullivan

No plans have been announced for Atlantic City; however, it would be no surprise if he shapes up in the Standish that was a pearl of a run at Moonee Valley first up since Melbourne Cup day, finishing fourth to Dollar For Dollar over 1400 metres.

That was a big performance to come from where he did, we expected him to be much closer, he made the turn into the straight about six wide.

“He was strong to the line, he hasn’t been an easy horse to train, he got back off a fast pace today, he likes plenty of room ,it is satisfying, we can go on, he was a fresh horse, we can move on from here, “ said Mark Kavanagh.

Mark Kavanagh

Cambridge Stud, the show place of the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding industry, has been sold.

Fortunately the iconic property will remain in New Zealand hands, as it has for more than three decades.

It is no secret that there has been huge international interest since murmurs that the property was on the market.

The new owners, Brendan Lindsay and is wife Jo, are already committed to the horse industry, with a property at Karaka, where they have a small training operation.

Sir Patrick Hogan is a member of both the Australian and New Zealand halls of fame; he is the undisputed king of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Industry.

Cambridge Stud is more than a stud farm, it is a legend where ever you travel, particularly in the horse industry, the brand stands out, synonymous with quality, this is where the finest thoroughbreds in the southern hemisphere have been bred.

Eight Melbourne Cup winners, three Caulfield Cups successes, four Cox Plates and a Golden Slipper, records are set to be broken, however, that one may stand the test of time.

The new owners, Brendan Lindsay and his wife Jo, will settle into Cambridge in April, whether there is be a dispersal of stock is yet to be announced.