Zebulon created a big impression in winning the Murray Cox Handicap, with a barnstorming performance in the opening agenda at Flemington yesterday.

Winter form will always be subject to question, when spring is mentioned, however, this colt might just be the exception.

He was never suited over the 1100 metres at Werribee, it was far too short, Flemington suits his style of racing much better.

After drawing a wide gate Linda Meech, the replacement rider for Glen Boss, allowed the colt plenty of time to balance up before calling on him for his effort.

Once Zebulon commenced his run at the top of the straight he soon joined the body of the field, coming away to win full of running.

There was a lot of potential shown by the colt once he reached the lead, he went as straight as a gun barrel, and a copy book ride from Linda Meech, she gave the colt every chance, he was her 100^th winner for the season.

Zebulon is prepared by the training partnership of Peter Morgan, and Craig Widdison, at Talwood Park Whittlesea.

The colt may have another run in a fortnight depending how well he pulls up, otherwise he will get the benefit of a break before it is time to prepare him for the Caulfield Guineas.

Zebulon looking the goods 

Warwarick’s win at Moonee Valley in the colours of pink, yellow cap, brought back memories as they were registered to Ken Cox, a former treasurer of the Victoria Racing Club.

Cox was the supremo in the halcyon era of Stockwell Stud, a wonderful experience at a time when the Victorian bloodstock industry was thriving .

Ken Cox raced quite a number of horses with success, the majority being by Showdown, at that time he was the premier sire in Victoria.

The best by far was Tontonan, he had to be gelded due to increasing weight, his legs would not have carried the strain of arduous racing.

Cox shared the ownership in the gelding with his able stud manager, George Smith, a successful partnership more than 40 years ago.

Tontonan was a great racehorse, he would qualify for championship status in any era, and he was foaled just before the resurgence in prize money.

After winning his first race at Flemington by six lengths, and three lengths at Caulfield,, the Blue Diamond Stakes, worth $12,000, was by passed in favour of the Golden Slipper Stakes with prize money of $50,00,Tontonan won the Golden Slipper, he won the Oakleigh Plate, the Doncaster Handicap, besides nine other wins earning $245,150 in stakes.

That Doncaster Handicap win was among the most unprecedented incidents seen on an Australian racecourse.

When the field of 23 runners were released from the starting gate, an almighty roar followed racegoers had been watching the race and ignoring the action further down the track.

As the field raced to the 1200 metres there was action a plenty, in the opposite direction a male, and his female accomplice, had stripped, jumped the picket fence from the flat reserve and were heading towards the mounting yard, with the grandstand in the back ground.

Attendants rushed forward shedding their coats giving the couple some respectability.

Warwarick in Tontonan's colours 

Between stables at Flemington and Darwin, the only leisure hours Stephen Brown gets is snoozing on a plane while flying from one end of the continent to the other.

He was at Moonee Valley again on Saturday winning with his consistent sprinter, Kievann, completing a double; they were there in the same winner’s circle two weeks ago.

Kievann was always travelling close to the pace after drawing out a little wider than desired, but was working into the race well.

Kievann on the outside winning narrowly

At the turn into the straight, leader, Hard Stride was not stopping, Kievann would have to win it the hard way, it became a desperate struggle to the line with Kievann doing just enough to receive the judge’s nod.

There are no plans laid down for the winner, Stephen Brown wouldn’t mind going to the Valley again as his charge is becoming quite a specialist there.

Trainer Stephen Brown

Tasmanian performer, The Cleaner, gave his rivals something to chase, with little hope of them catching him, in the Dominant Travis Harrison Cup at Moonee Valley.

He is a good horse and his record shows it, 15 wins and 11 placings from 39 starts, he has been a profitable investment for his connections.

From the times gates were released The Cleaner was playing the field on a break; he led at every section of the race and was clearly doing his best work when the post was reached.

The gelding arrived from Tasmania on Thursday; after he had raced the truck was waiting to take him back to the wharf, he arrived home to his stable at Longford the following morning.

It is a great story, you don’t get many horses like The Cleaner, he has put together over half a million in stakes and still racing in great form.

He was first purchased by his trainer Mick Burles, when he ran out of money the horse was sold and Mick was retained as trainer.

Some of the early weight for age races look appealing for The Cleaner, such as the Makybe Diva Stakes, and the Emirates Stakes would not be ruled out either, on the last day of the Flemington carnival.

The Cleaner- A brilliant winner

Sticking to the rails proved the winning formula for the narrow win of Gloom in the Aquanas Foods Handicap, at Moonee Valley.

That was the instruction trainer, Chris Hyland, gave to former New Zealander jockey, Daniel Stackhouse, he carried it out to the letter.

The advice certainly payed off, after drawing the fence the gelding began quickly but was soon beaten for pace, he was further back than expected by the school, however, Stackhouse didn’t panic, he proved a sound listener, remained cool in a crisis.

Finally the run did come, there was no hesitation, he was through in a flash, had he attempted to go round a horse he would have been history.

As it turned out the winning margin was pretty tight, there was no room for error, Turfane was closing quickly, there was just a head when the judge called a holt.

Turfane should just about pick up a race this preparation; he was forced to cover extra ground on the home turn which may have cost him the race.

The favourite, Symphonix, ran a shocker; after leading at one stage it was noticeable he did drift quite a bit in betting.

Brad Rawiller could not offer any explanation for the poor performance of the favourite, a post race examination failed to reveal any abnormalities; a sample swab was taken for analysis.

Gloop ridden by Daniel Stackhouse