Shamus Award answered his critics with a stunning all the way win in the Australian Guineas at Flemington.

There were still some discussion about, before the Guineas, whether he should he have been accepted as a maiden to run in the Cox Plate.

That has long been a contentious issue, surely that is long in the past, the monkey is at least off his back now, he has answered his critics 

Shamus Award was devastating in the Guineas, he gave those that dared to challenge him a good old fashioned short back and sides by leading all the way.

It was similar to a re run of the Cox Plate, except the winning margin was much greater, whether he will tackle Fiorente in the Australian Cup next Saturday will surely be the talking point in racing circles this week.

Shamus Award winning Austra;ian Guineas

“We have the option of the Australian Cup next week or the Alister Clark Stakes in two weeks at Moonee Valley, he will then have only two runs in Sydney, the Rosehill Guineas and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes,” said Danny O’Brien.

David Payne, trainer of Criterion, was pleased with the run of his colt; the Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby are firmly entrenched in his fourth coming program.

Eurozone will also follow a similar program, with James Cummings believing there will be more give in the ground at Randwick.

Danny O'Brien and Craig Williams

Breeding thoroughbred horses can be a very fickle business with fashions continually changing, there is no easy road to success, or guarantees either.

What was popular last year may not necessarily be popular this year, it is solely dependent on the rate of success of the sire, if he is making a name on the racetrack he will no doubt receive a reprieve for another couple of years.

The money invested in bloodstock is enormous, it only takes a couple of admirers to latch onto the one horse and the sky becomes the limit.

With the annual Victorian yearling sales next week, breeders are putting the finishing touches on their horses in the anticipation of a favourable result at the sale.

Service fees mean little to the prospective buyer, he can ignore the sire and dam line provided the animal has type that can often carry him over the line, he will usually find a home.

No one knows those pitfalls better than Brian McKnight, of Oakford Thoroughbred Farm; he has seen egos quickly deflated at the fall of the hammer.

He is a survivor, he has seen it all, the voice of experience, he has learnt a lot since he prepared his first draft of yearlings 50 years ago for the annual yearling sales.

The days when the sales complex was opposite Flemington Racecourse and horses were sold in guineas ($2.10) and the odd 10 cents was the selling commission.

Born and raised in Maldon horses were a way of life for Brian, his father was a contractor, the only implements at that time were horse drawn.

While riding his pony past Trevensen Park Stud he noticed a group of mares and foals grazing in a nearby paddock when the owner, Ed Barty, came across and offered him a job.

He didn’t have to be asked twice, he became Ed Barty’s right hand man, a successful working relationship developed between employer and employee.

Oakford Thoroughbred Farm came to fruition in 1997 after a lot of hard work and long hours, since has seen the development of a highly efficient horse property.

A closely knit family business controlled entirely by the family, and that old adage that has stood the test of time, a family that work together generally stick together 

That is how it has been with the McKnight family, everyone puts in, Brian has the trainer’s license, sons Brendan and Ashley have various skills that are put to good use on the farm, while wife Judy is office manager, housewife with numerous other strings to her bow, and is not backward in coming forward as a midwife during foaling time.

Oakford is almost self sufficient, an excellent farm off the mainstream, winters are generally mild in comparison to other regions of Victoria.

The 800 acre property offers excellent facilities, 2000 metres sand track over rising ground, a well constructed swimming pool, plus a water walker built by Brendan and Ashley and excellent stabling for yearling preparation.

Oakford has an advantage over every horse property in the state, it is completely drought resistant, there is no shortage of water, several paddocks are sown to lucerne and English grasses.

An excellent draft of nine yearlings has been prepared and will be offered at next week’s Premier Yearling Sales, at Oaklands Junction.

Brian McKnight with one of the stars of his draft. By Stryker from Go Ruby Go

Earthquake clearly showed her superiority with an outstanding performance that saw her win the Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield.

She showed she is clearly among the very best two years old fillies we have seen out in a long while, and now a worthy Golden Slipper Stakes favourite.

The wide barrier was never a problem to her, she could have won the race from any gate, class carries you a long way, as it did with her.

When Rubick and Earthquake ran exactly the same time of 1.03.71in winning their respective Preludes, punters could not decide on a pronounced favourite.

Once the barrier draw was announced, with Rubick drawing more favourably than Earthquake, the colt was installed as favourite.

The flood of money came for Earthquake in the last 24 hours of betting, the market swayed in her favour.

Earthquake under Damian Browne winning the Blue Diamond

There are several factors about the win, not the least the ride of Damian Browne, he accepted the wide barrier and rode the filly accordingly, allowing her to settle and find her way into the race.

He had her in a winning position on the home turn, she put the race away within a couple of strides, they seldom win any easier than that.

Earthquake will now press on to the Golden Slipper Stakes in a bid to emulate the two state double as Sepoy did three years ago.

The win is another illustration of the success that Darley have had under trainer Peter Snowden, and his son Paul, they will move on after the Sydney Carnival to train in their own right at Randwick.

Both Peter and Paul Snowden have always been obliging with the media which has been most appreciated.

Paul, Krystle and Peter Snowden

The inform Lankan Rupee made a one act affair of the Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate, once he joined in at the top of the straight he soon put the issue beyond doubt.

His trainer, Mick Price, is raising the bar, he is moving the gelding on to the Group 1 Newmarket on Saturday week.

The straight six should hold no fears for him; he has won there and is now racing in the best form of his career.

He blew slightly in the markets in what turned out to be a wide betting race with only two runners under $10.00.

Price summed it up well when saying, “he is a good horse and deserved his Group 1 win.”

The win was some consolation for Price as he saddled up the second and third placegetters in the Blue Diamond Stakes.

Bel Sprinter failed once again, that has become a habit with him, he was wrapped up during a radio interview last week which made little difference, he blew in the betting and seems to have lost all form.

The three placegetters out of the Oakleigh Plate, Lankan Rupee, Spirit Of Boom and Knoydart, all look likely to run in the Newmarket Handicap on Saturday week.

Lankan Rupee wins Oakleigh Plate

After an all the way win in the Futurity Stakes Moment of Change is on track to run in the Newmarket Handicap, the major sprint at Flemington in two weeks.

While the connections of Moment of Change had reasons to celebrate the win there was no joy in the Robbie Laing camp after the break down of the Derby winner Polanski, who failed to finish.

He looked a million dollars at the 800 metres running second to the ultimate winner, Moment of Change, when he struck trouble and was eased out of the race.

First thoughts were a fractured pastern that has since been ruled out, X Rays have shown there are no fractures in the leg, whether he will race again is not likely.

The best run of the race, outside of the winner, was Sertorius; it was a sensational run, after being left at the barrier he ran the fastest last 200 metres in 11.90.

He will go to Flemington for the Blamey Stakes in two weeks; a similar performance would see him off to Sydney for the Ranvet Stakes.

The Futurity favourite, Bull Point, was disappointing; he didn’t do a great deal after being handy at the 800 metres, an indifferent run to his previous win at Caulfield.

Moment Of Change on the crest of a wave