From The Paddock

Hurtle Myrtle aims up!

Dane Shadow to date has had first crop progeny compete in five Group 1 events, placing in 3 of them. Saturday sees Hurtle Myrtle take on the fillies and mares in the much sort after Group 1 Coolmore Classic aiming to start her dad"s Group 1 account in style. After almost knocking off More Joyous last start, she gets her chance to prove that this race was actually an indication that she has come on since placing behind More Joyous and Sister Madly over 1600m in the Group 1 Flight Stakes in the Spring. If trainer Matt Smith can pull it off, it will be a credit to him after looking after his stable star with such aplomb since she showed him plenty as a 2YO.

What are Dane Shadow"s Winners to Runners stats telling us?

Grand Falcon (Sermon Lane 06) as a weanling

With Dane Shadow"s first crop now aged a little over 3.5 years, the winners keep coming.  With 2 new winners in the last week, his still-young first crop of horses are already showing a winners-to-runners ratio of 44.4%.  This already compares favourably with the well established stallion heavyweights - Encosta De Lago, Commands, Danehill Dancer and General Nediym.  One wonders what the stats will look like in years to come when the 2009 crop has delivered on the track?

The Charge of the Dane Shadow Brigade - Queensland Battalion

This weekend sees the start of a substantial assault on Queensland racing by four Dane Shadow colts of some promise.  There are two juveniles, Turn It Up and Bust "N" Loose who will return after very promising runs early on in the 2YO season. Both are exciting propositions who are being set for the Queensland Carnival"s 2YO Group races including the Group 1 TJ Smith over a mile on June 12.  Shadow Buster is also set to return in a few weeks with the ultimate gaol being the Queensland Guineas on June 12 and this Saturday sees the return of Patapinda who is rumoured to have flourished. His ultimate goal is the Gunsynd Classic on May 1 at Doomben over 1600m.

The Wombat"s Whisper

What an Australian Cup, my tip Miss Maren dropped out in the straight but Nick Hall and Luke Nolen had a ding dong battle down the Flemington straight, it is unbelievable that it was Zipping"s first Group 1!

This week we will concentrate on the girls as it is a top class Coolmore Classic field even without Typhoon Tracy. Moody and Nolen are still well represented with Set for Fame coming off an exceptional performance in the Australian Guineas. I will be sticking with Faint Perfume, Bart is on fire at present and despite a bad barrier, her turn of foot reminds me of the best horse and filly I will ever see - Zarkava. Sure Zarkava was undefeated and Faint Perfume has been beaten a number of times, but she has won her last three, admittedly against fillies. I just can"t believe the sprint that she carved off in her first up appearance, coming from a genuine sprinter/miler it would have been impressive, but the fact that Faint has bigger fish to fry this campaign over the classic distance made it even more impressive. Hopefully Roddy is chanelling that arrogant Christophe Soumillon Arc ride from the barrier 16.

We can"t forget Hurtle Myrtle, who made More Joyous work hard for it, she will be well suited at 1500m and really well supported by those at KWH. Myrtle"s second dam is a full sister to the ill fated Star Watch, a Golden Slipper winning speedster who produced 10 Stakeswinners from only 126 live foals in 2 seasons. Her 1st dam is a Woodman mare and it is good to see the sire of Hector Protector, Bosra Sham and Hawk Wing finally make a name for himself in this part of the world (also the dam sire of More Than Ready). The Coolmore is a tough race, I will be boxing something up including the 3 mentioned and Palacio de Cristal. She is out of an Oaks winning full sister to Naturalism - Crystal Palace. I saw her win the QTC Oaks, from memory she was not a big mare, but the most exciting thing about this horse Palacio de Cristal is form around Danleigh and Rangi, it is HOT...

Elsewhere it will be interesting to see how Star Witness handles Rosehill. He looked uncomfortable winning the Blue Diamond, so lets hope he can adapt to the clockwise direction better than his trip across town in Melbourne. Theseo looks hard to beat in the Ranvet, I typically hate shopping for value in WFA races, but I did see Road To Rock 1st up at Caulfield. His 2nd up run was ok too and he will be carrying a small wager on Saturday at around 15 or 20 to 1. I will also be cheering on No Wine No Song, he is one of the Wombat"s favourites, it is disappointing that he has not been able to get to the start in a Melbourne Cup. He is coming back from his second tendon injury (different legs), to hopefully get to the starter for his 4th Sydney Cup. I loved a quote from Kevin Moses suggesting that after the latest injury "he is balanced now".

Best of luck on Saturday in the Group 1 for Myrtle and Dane Shadow!

Easter Yearling Highlights

Hayley"s Thunder/Royal Academy 08

Out of a Thunder Gulch mare by respected & consistent sire Royal Academy, making this colt a close relation, to such outstanding performers such as - Black Mamba (Group 1 Del Mar John C Mabee, 7 wins) and Roman Emperor winner of the Gr1 Australian Derby.

Ladies Night In/Canny Lad 08

The dam, a winner in America, is a half sister to the well performed dual Gr1 winner He’s No Pie Eater, which makes this filly by Canny Lad a ¾ sister to He’s No Pie Eater. This family reads like a who’s who with such notable individuals as Redoute’s Choice, Hurricane Sky, Umatilla and Platinum Scissors amongst them.

Farm Conditions Update

6mm of rain was recorded over a few scattered showers

Player Profile

6 questions with Renee Gallagher

Place of Birth - Adelaide

Roll at Kitchwin - Stud hand

Age - 17

1. Where did you go on your last holiday? Port Lincoln

2. What is the single best thing about working at Kitchwin? Meeting new people and working closely with horses

3. What mare at Kitchwin would you most like to own? Shireen and Phar Too Good"s gorgeous foal

4. If you were Prime Minister what"s the first thing you would do? Change the hassle in obtaining your licence. It takes too long to gain your full licence.

Mick"s Question

What is it like being away from home for the first time? Well, it"s only been two weeks and I"m loving it so far but it also makes me realise how much my parents actually do for me.

Weekend Acceptances

FROM THE PADDOCK RUNNERS

Saturday March 20

Australia
Newcastle JC
4.25pm Race 7 U-Neck Aluminium Maiden H., A$14000 1400m
Drivel (AUS) 2006 (F. by Redoute"s Choice-Tully Thunder) - Sold at the 2008 Magic Millions for $600,000. Bred to be anything this filly by the great Redoute"s Choice out of an Oaks winner. If you bet on pedigree alone you should be all over her in this at odds that will reflect her steady performances. Dual accepted for the Keith F Nolan Classic Gr 3 at Kembla Grange where the odds will be even juicier!!

STC
4.10pm Race 7 Coolmore Classic Gr.1, A$600000 1500m
Hurtle Myrtle (AUS) 2006 (F. by Dane Shadow-Ravenswood) - Sold at the 2008 Inglis Classic for $55,000. This is it, she"s been bashing down the door racing against the best in the country. With Typhoon Tracy and More Joyous not lining up and considering her scintillating form, few would be surprised to see this super honest filly get up!!! Hold onto your hats if she wins as the celebrations will go on for weeks!!!

OTHER RUNNERS OF INTEREST

Saturday March 20

BRC
4.40pm Race 8 Iceworks Bar Paddington H., A$50000 1200m
Patapinda (AUS) 2006 (G. by Dane Shadow-Stakeout) - As mentioned previously, this horse flourished during his spell and you would expect him to be right in this however, the wide barrier (16) will have connections cautious of placing too much pressure on him early in his preparation. All the same, we should be monitoring him closely hoping that he puts in a solid performance for some big bets later on.