Chivalry put a smile on the face of his trainer, Mark Kavanagh, after a barn storming performance when he came from last to win the McNeil Stakes, snatching victory virtually in the very last stride.

Kavanagh would be the first admit that the 2013-14 season was a pretty lean period for the stable, it was always going to be difficult to fill the boxes vacated by horses such as Shocking, Maldivian, Whobegotyou and Atlantic Jewel, those horses are seldom replaced, you can only dream that the replacements will be half as good.

Good horses are the lifeblood of every stable, the reason to get out of a warm bed on a chilly winter’s morning.

Every stable needs a good horse, it is a struggle without one, however, finding that elusive one has never been easy and lady luck doesn’t always deal aces.

Mark Kavanagh told the editor of Racingtopics he had the horse, it was all a matter of being patient, that all fell into place on Saturday at Caulfield when Chivalry won the McNeil Stakes.

The three year old is an exciting colt, he could be the best of his age group, he is a big strong youngster with potential, the Caulfield Guineas is his foremost target.

It was a strong test for him as got out of his ground early with the job ahead of him, giving every horse in the race a start, and was last into the straight.

Racing needs its stars, they don’t come along as often as they used to, Chivalry could be the next one.

Chivalry on the outside staking his claim in the Memsie 

Peter Moody is playing his cards close to his chest after the win of Dissident in the first Group1 weight for age race of the season, the Memsie Stakes.

The winner was parked within range of the leader, Sweet Idea, most of the way, the only between then was Moment of Change, a stable mate of the winner, Boban, was next, while Silent Achiever was locked away on the rails, Super Cool and Happy Trails were behind her. .

The first question asked of Moody was whether the Cox Plate was on the itinerary, I doubt if that has been discussed as yet.

Moody went into the race with a fit horse; he had wintered well in Queensland before spending some time in Sydney, only returning to the Caulfield stable last week.

More will be known which direction Moody will take after the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes over 1600 metres in two weeks at Flemington.

Puissance De Lune ran a much improved race; he is taking a little longer this time being a year older and having not raced since last Spring.

I liked the run of Silent Achiever and so did Damien Oliver, the mare was first up since April; she will be primed up come Cox Plate day.

Happy Trails did nothing in running, neither did Boban and Messene, both may be a bit short of weight for age company at present.

Dissident winning the Memsie Stakes 

PRECIOUS GEM, (Race 4 Caulfield), drew a wide gate, impressive coming from last to finish third, came in 10 points in betting, does perform well at Moonee Valley.

COMMANDING JEWEL, (Race 7 Caulfield), class mare off the scene for 12 months, staged a huge run to finish third, a win not far away.

Iconic completed a two state double for his trainer, Tony McEvoy, when he won the Listed Carlyon Stakes, and a double for his sire, Bel Esprit.

The first leg of the double saw the ex-patriot, Mr. Chard, winning the $100,000 XXXX Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury.

Iconic’s effort was a first up affair since finishing unplaced behind Turquoise King back in March, under lights at Moonee Valley.

There were no betting moves to suggest he was fancied, he was always around the $10 range, and that is about where he finished up.

The gelding travelled well in running about the middle of the field, Nick Hall didn’t waste any time, once he made a move the gelding responded to his hard riding.

Iconic winning the Carlyon Stakes

Tony Mc Evoy, trainer, paid Nick Hall a compliment saying, “ he was more positive than I was, that is the beauty of having these good jockeys, you have to listen to them, he rode the horse to perfection.”

“He has more of these nice races in him, his legs might be a bit bent but that has never stopped him and it’s not likely to now,” he added.

The gelding will be brought back to Moonee Valley in two weeks for the Group 2 Mitty’s McEwen Stakes, it promises to be a hot field.

Tony McEvoy with former MVRC Chairman Norman Carlyon 

Popular Chairman of the Moonee Valley Racing, Bob Scarborough, has never been backward in supporting a charitable cause, nor the Club he represents.

On Saturday he accepted the Ice Bucket Challenge, while not fully aware of the consequences Bob faced up to the ducking with a smile on his face, his only comment was, “I hope all the ice hasn’t melted.”

The occasion raised $3,500 for the awareness of Motor Neuron Disease.

Glen Boss and Damien Oliver willingly oblige