Extra distance and weight didn’t hamper Backbone in the least; he gave his rivals a short back and sides in winning the Melbourne Signage Concepts Handicap at Moonee Valley.

Leading trainer, Darren Weir, had some reservations about the 59 kgs, which was a rise of 3.5 kgs, more than he won with the previous week at Flemington, and the distance 500 metres further, and winning margin much greater.

Backbone has really hit his straps, he has found a new lease of life, he had complete control of the traffic from the outset and had the result put away before the home turn was reached.

The horse has trained on well since his Flemington win, there was a concern about weight but it did not bother him, he was in a winning position all the way thanks to Ben Melham, another great ride, t just a matter of put in and take out.

“I was a bit keen to claim on the horse but the owners wanted to stick with Ben, and that was alright with me. “

“The horse is in great order, he has done well during the week, he is not a great track worker, we popped him over a few hurdles and he was spot on,” said Weir.

Zabeelionaire was seen to be running on, he has been out of the winning list for quite some time, he may get his chance before the spring.

Backbone by the evergreen sire - Mossman 

John Sadler, who turned 60 last Tuesday, received a belated birthday gift when Digitalism bounced up in the last few strides to win the Advanced Mailing Solutions Handicap at Moonee Valley.

Sadler is riding on the crest of a wave at present since transferring his training operation from Flemington to Caulfield.

Digitalism has been off the winning list for quite some time, yet his form has been reasonable, he was ridden a nice quite race by Katelyn Mallyon, she was able to get the best out of the gelding.

The horse was always looking a danger once they reached the school on the Wilson Street side of the course.

Now that he is in a winning vein again, he could easily win a similar type of race before the spring horses begin to emerge on the scene.

The favourite, Count Encosta, had to come from second last, it was a huge run, while he is an aged gelding, on that performance there is still a race or two in him yet.

Last start Morphettville winner, Devonshire Duke, held his ground for the entire race and was not that far away when the judge called a halt.

Digitalism in the blinkers on the outside 

Taghrooda showed a touch of class in winning the King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot over the week-end.

She became the first three year old filly to win the midsummer showpiece since Pawneese in 1976.

Taghrooda, who also won the Oaks, is unbeaten after four starts and is among the pre post favourites for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, to be decided on the first Sunday in October.

She has continued the run of success by first crop sire, Sea The Stars by Cape Cross, who saw service in New Zealand at one stage.

Sea The Stars is a half brother to Galileo, currently the leading sire in the U K, from the mare Park Express.

New Track For Keeneland

Work has commenced installing a new dirt racing surface at Keeneland, the final step in the process is due to be completed by the end of this month.

The surface material is a blend of approximately 19,000 tons of sand, silt and clay, native to Kentucky, it will be installed in three of two inch layers to complete the six inches of racing surface.

Installation of the dirt surface marks the final stages of the project that has been ongoing for more than a year and includes extensive research and testing of materials, water drainage systems, designed by Keeneland officials, and a team of experts.

When Two Champions Were Foaled

Early spring evenings can be cold, wet and downright miserable, it was no different in Kentucky when A B (Bull) Hancock, of Claiborne Farm, left a warm fire to witness the birth of a foal, among the first by the new found sire Nasrullah.

Bull had syndicated Nasrullah for millions, the biggest gamble he had ever undertaken, there was a lot riding on the heads of this first crop of foals.

As he entered the main barn, Miss Disco was about to give birth, this was just the beginning, there was still a long way to go, but at least the first foal was on the ground.

Bull was shivering by now, ready to get back to the warm fire when he was called to look in on another mare that was about to foal.

Finally, the mare, Knights Daughter, foaled a colt by Princequillo, that was the night that fame and fortune was delivered to Claiborne Stud, when Bold Ruler and Round Table were born.

Redoute’s Choice is champion sire for season 2013-14, siring 96 winners with progeny earnings of $ 10,302,693, just ahead of his son, Snitzel, with 83 winners earning $9.855.904.

Unique as it may be, the leading sire and his son, are both standing at Arrowfield in the Hunter Valley.

Redoutes Choice’s highest money earner for the season was Lankan Rupee, his connections pocketed $2.737, 750 in prize money, whilst Snitzel’s highest earner for the season was Shamus Award with $2,364,600.

Redoute’s Choice has proved a remarkable sire and a great track performer, now in his18th year he has ticked all the boxes, they don’t come much better than him.

He has the score on the board setting the pinnacle among modern day sires and has always been a hard act to follow, particularly when it comes time for the annual yearling sales, he has stolen the show, of the first 22 yearlings sold, for a seven figure sum, he was represented by15 lots, such has been the demand for his progeny.

Redoute’s Choice has basically followed on from where his own sire, Danehill, was champion sire no fewer than nine times and champion brood mare sire six times, the greatest dual hemisphere sire of all time.

Redoute's Choice - Champion Sire for third time

Robbie Laing was spell bound, as you expect, after the poor performance of the odds on favourite, Lord Of The Sky, missing a place in the Slickpix Bletchingly Stakes.

Looking for an excuse would be like finding a needle in a haystack, he was beaten in every department for pace and failed to run on.

There were early signs, even when he jumped away well, but could never get on the fence, Daniel Moor, on Le Bonsir the favourite, would have to earn his stripes if he was to have any chance.

As the race progressed the scenario didn’t change, Le Bonsir had the wood on the favourite for most of the trip.

Thiamandi ridden vby Michael Rodd

There was no excuse that could be offered for the beaten favourite, he didn’t give as much as expected, he was well beaten long before the home turn was reached.

As the crowd were recovering from shell shock, the ultimate winner’s performance, Thiamandi, went almost unnoticed.

She was a last start winner at Caulfield and at Morphettville, yet was never considered a chance; she drifted eight points in betting.

There was no welcoming party for her either, her trainer, Lloyd Kennewell, had his bucks party in Las Vegas, and her Adelaide owner didn’t make it as his flight was held up due to fog, he missed the race by 10 minutes

. Winner of Slickpix Bletchingly Stakes