Last Sunday the stable headed over the border to Mount Gambier with a team of four and full of optimism.

That anticipation was rewarded with a double, Culily Ace and Moon Over Alice both recording their third career victories.
With a distinct liking for winter tracks, both were suited on the slow track that was presented.

Culily Ace was first-up since October and franked her solid trial form with a win in the Scott Group of Companies BM68 Handicap over 1323m.
The 5YO daughter of Bon Hoffa was well ridden by Caitlin Jones, settling just off the pace before running way for an easy three length victory.
Starting at $11, the mare defeated South Australian trained gallopers Short Stories and Unlimited Ability.
The stable also saddled up Honour De Hero in the race, but after settling on speed she faded to run seventh.

Moon Over Alice made it three rain-effected career successes with a strong win in the TAB Class 2 Handicap over 1223m.
The resilient 3YO daughter of Your Song is deep into her current preparation, but the come from last victory suggests she can win again this winter.
Neil Farley settled the filly well back before a searching run soon rounded up her opposition.
Starting the $3.20 favourite, she defeated Last Dream by 1.7 lengths.

Our other runner was the lightly raced Our Sparkle who ran an even race to finish midfield at her second start and first run since January.

Congratulations to all our owners in both winners!

Plans to lead and dictate the race with Magnetic Prince were aborted after the barriers opened in the last at Casterton on Sunday.
Thankfully a great ride and terrific determination by the horse secured a second career win, when railing for victory in the Tasco Petroleum BM64 Handicap over 1400m.
A natural on speed galloper, Daniel hatched a plan with Laura Lafferty to lead around the tight circuit. But after missing the start, he explained that Laura had to revert to Plan B.
“Yes the plan was to lead and win, but that went out the window early, thankfully Laura didn’t panic and settled into a nice rhythm out the back.”
It was a brilliant ride and despite being put under pressure from the 600m to improve, Daniel was impressed with how the horse responded.
“Local knowledge helped Laura, she knew going wide wouldn’t help, cutting the corner and keeping momentum was needed. To the horse’s credit he still had to pick up and did so very impressively.”
The 4YO son of Magnus is still learning, but Daniel believes with time he can eventually make it to mid-week level.
“We will look for a similar race, maybe even check the calendar for a race in Adelaide. I think he can make it to mid-week Melbourne level, but that might not be until next preparation. He still does a few things wrong as we seen on Sunday.”

Congratulations to all his owners Steve, Mark, Harry, Frank, Domenic, Chris, Chris, Luke and Chris.  ​

​Atomic Gold returned to the racetrack in grand style when easily accounting for his opposition in the Cor Cordis Maiden Plate over 1110m at Werribee last Friday.
After a handy debut fourth placing last September at Casterton, the 4YO son of Atomic was sent to the paddock to get over a few small issues, which also allowed him to furnish further.
The break did wonders as this win showed.
From a middle barrier, Mitch Aitken let the speed go early, before moving into the race rounding the home turn.
A great turn of foot allowed him to quickly grab the lead and career away for an impressive three length win.
He defeated odds-on favourite Recap, another local galloper from the Lindsey Smith yard.
The gelding who was bred and now raced by the Mugavin family, had a topsy turvy start to life.
At four days old, he needed a foster mum after becoming an orphan foal.
With all that behind him, he looks more than capable of going through the grades, especially on rain effected tracks which he has shown liking too. 

Fortunate Kiss survived a late surge from race favourite Cardigan Queen to claim the city win she has yearned since a promising third on debut behind Enthaar in January 2021.

The 3YO daughter of Divine Prophet showed great tenacity to hold on and win the Cirka Plate over 1400m at Flemington.
In a driving finish, it was a lovely Harry Coffey ride that gave connections a welcome change of luck. Sitting fifth in running off a solid tempo, Coffey then had to bide his time down the long headquarters straight.

Speaking to Racing.com post-race Coffey explained his predicament. “I just tested the waters early, and ah the waters were a little bit deep to be jumping into early, so I had to wait a little bit longer.
She’s not an overly big filly, and she’s also been a filly that has been in races where she’s been knocked around and has not had a lot of luck, so you have to be mindful of that when making runs.”

The gap finally opened when Blushing Tycoon wobbled and dropped off slightly, allowing the filly to sprint quickly into winning contention.
Coffey also referred to John Allen appearing on his inside. “I’ll be honest, I didn’t know Johnny (Allen) was sneaking up my inside until very late, it took me and Fortunate Kiss by surprise, but we were lucky enough to get the bob.”

“I’ve got to say a big thank-you to Daniel, he gives me a really good go Daniel. He’s not only a good trainer, but he is also quite loyal and a good friend of mine.”

Purchased by Daniel for $80,000 at the 2020 Sydney Classic Yearling Sale, the filly has now nearly doubled that in earnings for connections. With a black type fourth to her name when just behind the placegetters in the Group 3 Typhoon
Tracy, enhancing her value as a broodmare is the next box to tick.

Very pleased after yesterday’s gutsy win, Daniel suggested going back to Moonee Valley suited best.
“I was stoked to get another win for the owners, but now the job is to get a black-type win.
The perfect race looks to be at Moonee Valley on March 25th in the Alexandra Stakes, a Group 3 over 1600m.”

Congratulations to all her owners, let’s hope the luck continues. 

Moon Over Alice enhanced her wet-track reputation with an easy three length victory in the Prestige Jayco 0-58 Handicap over 1200m at Colac last weekend.

Starting a $2.60 favourite, the 3YO filly was far superior to her four rivals on the Heavy 9 surface.
Joe Bowditch had to work a little to sit outside early leader Amusing Magnus, but it was clear at the400m mark that she had that horse covered.
Allowed to stride to the front before the home turn, the daughter of Your Song cleared out in the straight for a comfortable victory.

This was her second career win, the previous at Geelong on a slow track in May 2021.
Placed on debut at Moonee Valley over 1200m, the 2020 Melbourne Classic Yearling Sale purchase can capitalise on rain-affected tracks now that she has found form.

Daniel’s plans for her now will revolve around benchmark races with an eye on a suitable city race to enhance her broodmare value.
“She relishes wet tracks, so if we get rain leading up to March 23rd , we could possibly head to Sandown for a filly’s race over 1300m.”

Congratulations and good luck to her owners as we endeavour to win a city race with your filly.

​Wish I Might book ended her preparation with a win at Hamilton. 

The six year old Strategic mare kicked off her preparation with a win at Stawell at their Easter meeting.

Since then she has been a model of consistency and rounded out her preparation with an easy 2 length win when ridden by Mikaela Lawerance. 

Wish I Might has now headed off for a well earned spell. 

​Ocean Beyond had been building towards a return to the winners stall and with a patient ride from Harry Coffey, he was able to deliver at Ballarat on Saturday. 

The four year old Ocean Park gelding had been running well in town, without much luck during the spring carnival. He settled in a midfield position throughout, with a split coming late in the race which he was able maneuver through to go on and win by a neck. 

"At the top of the straight it was probably a bit of an ugly watch, but I knew that he has a really good turn of foot and I tried to be patient. I was a bit rusty, but the horse made me look good." 

Harry married his life long sweet heart Tayla the week before in Swan Hill. It was a big thrill to be able to prepare a late wedding present for him. 

Ocean Beyond will now head to the Open Handicap on Pakenham Cup Day. 

Congratulations to the winning connections.