Moondalo to stud.

Promising mare retires to the breeding barn.

Although she will retire to stud as the winner of only two midweek races, I will be the first in line to try to buy or train any of the offspring of Moondalo when they arrive.

Moondalo could be described as having under achieved on the race track however I was very very confident that this season was going to be her best. In fact after her work at Belmont last week I was confident that she was on target for her first Saturday victory last weekend. That was not to be as we discovered some thickness in her tendon after her work and a decision was made to retire her immediately.

Moondalo has been sent to leading W.A. sire Bletchly Park and as much as I am disappointed that I have lost another potential top liner, I am confident that she will pass on her ability to her offspring.

Annagassan all the way!

Grey mare Annagassan makes it two out of her last three with an easy all the way win at Toodyay.

With all four feet off the ground, Annagassan shows just how easy it was as Dion eases her down on the line at Toodyay last Sunday. Dion is wearing the Nagmart Saddlery Rising star colours as the leader of the competition. Note a small section of the huge crowd on the infield. (Photo courtesy Hollands Photographics)

Toodyay Races

Another successful Toodyay Cup day.

As much as I am no wrap for Sunday racing I have to admit to loving the Sunday Toodyay Cup day meeting. This picturesque little course has an atmosphere all of it's own and I try to make sure to have at least one runner there every year. I've enjoyed a fair bit of success at Toodyay over the years and yesterdays meeting was no different.

Having her second run in six days, Annagassan showed her liking for the uphill/downhill circuit with a clever all the way win. The mare was ridden by my son Dion who completed a winning double on the mare after being successful in the first race of the day on an eight year old maiden. Now that is what I call patience!!!!

Good luck to all those involved with the Toodyay Cup meeting and I personally hope that it stays part of the racing calendar for many years to come.

Hardrada back on the race track.

Quality galloper Hardrada made his return to racing on Saturday.

After being missing from all the action for nearly twelve months top class galloper Hardrada made his return to the track on Saturday.

Although he only managed to beat one runner home I could not have been happier with his performance. The horse settled well back in the field which is his usual style of racing and continued to make ground on the leaders. Hardrada was only beaten 2.5 lengths and ran a very smart last 600m on a day when front runners were better suited.

I am not sure if he will have the spring in his step to match it with the best sprinters anymore but I am confident that once we get him up past 1600m we will see him back in the winners stall.

Moondalo first up.

Lightly raced mare Moondalo shows she is in for a good campaign with a great first up win.


Moondalo shows her winning style with an excellent last to first performance to win running away. (Photo courtesy of Hollands Photographics)

Celt Code

Two in a row.

Different jockey and distance but same track and same result!

Celt Code Again!

Celt Code makes it two starts for two wins at York.

Lightly raced three year old filly Celt Code showed on the week end that she has a bright future as a staying filly latter on in the season.

The filly was racing third up over 1900m at York and taking on older horses whilst carrying top weight. None of this seemed to matter much as the filly rounded in the field over the final 200m to win running away on the line. She gives every indication that given a chance to develop and mature she could become a more than useful middle distance galloper and I would not discount her as a genuine Oaks contender at this stage.

The filly had won at her only previous run at the track when ridden by Jason Whitting however Dion had the mount this time and the filly was just as impressive. Celt Code has now been sent for a spell and will be set specially for the WA OAKS when she returns. We live in hope!!!