Mishani Honcho could have earned a trip to Randwick for the Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes after an impressive performance in winning the Prime Minister’s Classic, on the Sunshine Coast.

The additional 200 metres of the Sires should not bother him as he came from a long way back in the field and was drawing away on the line.

He has won four of six starts and earned prize money in excess of $420,000 for his owners, Mike and Patty Crooks, who bred the bay gelding.

The win of Mishani Honcho has promoted his sire, Jet Spur, into the top four stallions on the sires table behind Exceed And Excel, Not A Single Doubt and Snitzel.

Jet Spur is by Flying Spur, one of the great sires to have won a Golden Slipper Stakes, however, his crown and glory could have easily been his win in the All Aged Stakes as a three year old.

There is quite a deal of depth in the dam of Jet Spur, he is out of Verocative by Bletchingly ,his second dam, True Verdict,is a sister to Zeditave, an outstanding sprinter, plus a half sister to Alannon, the sire of Falvelon, who shares a berth with Jet Spur at Glenlogan Park Stud

Mishani Honcho by leading Queensland two year old sire, Jet Spur

 Photo Courtesy - Trackside Photography

Bishops Castle showed a glimpse of his Darwin form when he returned to the winner’s circle at Flemington on Saturday.

That was his fourth start here since arriving from Darwin; his three previous runs have been at Moonee Valley, he has been slowly working up to a win.

The gelding, trained at Flemington by Stephen Brown, is yet to be tried beyond 1300metres, although he has been placed over a middle distance, and may even get further, as he is out of a Zabeel mare which has been a great source of staying power.

Brown is having a great run since establishing himself at Flemington, where he has leased 30 boxes from David Hayes.

It is the perfect training arrangement that is getting results, wife, Elisha, trains in Darwin, when the horses at the top end run into a bit of form she sends them onto Stephen at Flemington, it’s ideal, it works both ways.

There was money for Bishops Castle and rightly so, he shortened up slightly but remained backable.

After favourites won the two previous races punters loaded up on Reldas, he was always in the red; he never really got into the race at any stage, finishing fifth.

General Offer turned in a nice run; he was specked at good odds with each way giving a reasonable result.

Bishops Castle winning at Flemington

Gerald Ryan is no stranger to Melbourne, more like a perennial visitor who seldom returns home minus the spoils.

Ryan rode for quite a few years in Victoria, he was apprenticed to Owen Lynch, at Epsom, before training privately for David Moodie, at Hobsons Lodge.

Since moving to Sydney he has 80 horses under his care at Rosehill, and has never looked backwards since settling in the harbour city.

He was back in town yesterday at one of his favourite haunts, Flemington, winning the feature race, the Chester Manifold Stakes, with the consistent Red Excitement.

Red Excitement on the outside fighting out the finish with Tried and Tired

The gelding was the form horse of the race having won at his four previous starts in Sydney; he landed quite some big bets at Flemington.

He is by, Excites, a son of Danewin, and may remain here for the Orr Stakes at the re opening of Caulfield in three weeks.

Red Excitement had been placed at 1800 metres before he went to Gerald Ryan, he described the horse as tremendous, he just puts his head down and keeps on going.

When Brenton Avdulla heard the trip was on, he immediately booked himself for the ride, he made sure he wasn’t going to miss out on the mount.

As expected Lord Of The Sky led and for much longer than anticipated, however, he was beginning to throw out distress signals at the clock tower and folded up quickly from then on, finishing mid field.

Patrick Moloney rode the horse well, he let him run along at his leisure, however, it was always thought that the long run in would find him out.

Lord Of The Sky has not won in this present preparation and it is obvious that 1200 metres is as far as he likes.

Brenton Avdulla with Gerald Ryan

Kathryn Durden was rewarded for her patience when her lightly raced mare, Antarctic Missile, turned the Birdcage Handicap at Flemington into a one act affair, winning in a breeze.

It was Kathryn’s first win in a flat race at headquarters; whilst it was a huge thrill she kept her composure like a lady should.

The mare, Antarctic Missile, looked a treat in the post parade, prompting one renowned punter to have a fair slice of her at better than the opening quote.

That was just her ninth start, she has been in the money six times, her only win had been a maiden race at Geelong where she is trained.

She was quite dominant in a competitive race, she drew a good barrier near the rails, but Ben Melham preferred the middle of the track, it proved a winner, the mare raced as straight as a gun barrel.

We are sure to hear more about Antarctic Missile in the future, she is good quality mare and was well presented, she wouldn’t have blown a candle out on returning to scale.

There are no immediate plans for the mare at the moment, Kathryn will go home and work it out with Craig, who was an absentee on Saturday, he drew the short straw having to stay home and do the chores around the stable.

Antarctic Missile is by More Than Ready, the highest progeny earning sire to stand at stud in Australia last season, with in excess of $126 million dollars to his credit.

Antarctic Missile with Ben Melham up.

Caulfield Ready To Resume

Caulfield is set to resume racing on the 14^th of February after a break of three months, since the Caulfield Cup.
The course proper has undergone a complete re-construction in what promises to be another successful autumn carnival.
Two horses will gallop on the course proper next week with jump outs scheduled for the 3rd of February, with the Orr Stakes meeting two weeks away.

Savabeel Leads In N Z

Savabeel and Darci Brahma are having a battle royal in the New Zealand sires premiership at this stage.
The Cox Plate success has sired 31 winners from 75 starters, with progeny earnings of $1,093,995, while Darci Brahma 32 winners from 76 runners, earning $918,270.
Iffaai is not that far away either, followed by O’Rielly, Pins and Keeper, in that order.

IrishTrainer Quits

Successful Irish trainer, Charlie Swan, is pulling stumps at the end the month, blaming how hard the recession has hit the sport for his decision.
Swan has enjoyed success with flat horses and jumpers, he will now concentrate on bloodstock and sales
It comes as no surprise as several trainers are feeling the pinch, Swan is getting out while the going is good.
Swan enjoyed the patronage of J P McNanus and Gigginstown, yet he was compelled to quit underlining how tough training has become as a result of the recession.

Bel Esprit Doing Just Fine

Bel Esprit does not receive the credits he is entitled to, another double at Sale yesterday, yet again hardly a mention in the media.
He is the last horse to win the Blue Diamond Stakes and go on to win in open company at Group 1 level.
The Inglis Premier Sale in Melbourne will feature a nice draft of 19 lots by the son of Royal Academy.

Canterbury For Quarantine

Canterbury will become the quarantine centre for the overseas horses competing at The Championships, to be decided in March at Randwick.
There are ample loose boxes on the course to accommodate visitors, and an equine hospital is near completion.