I was thrilled to see The Wasp break her maiden at Taree on Friday. The daughter of Smart Missile has always displayed good ability but like most of his progeny it has taken a bit of time for the penny to drop. Kris Lees has recommended we give her a break and allow her to continue to mature. She can reel off fast sectionals which is a great asset for any horse.

It is a tough time of the year for three year old fillies who win their maiden as they generally have to compete with the older horses as they head through their grades but the field evens up in the New Year as they develop.

In other news another Smart Missile three year old Chastity Strikes was very impressive winning a trial and is ready to head to the races. Strike For Victory, also by Smart Missile has come through her run without any issues and hopefully can draw a decent gate for her next outing. I’d like to know what time she ran for her final 600m at Muswellbrook. It would have been exceptional. Two year old Kaera Jaani also by Smart Missile was 4th on debut at Morphettville after missing the start. She ran well but was no hope on the tight Parks Course at Morphettville after being slowly away and will have learned a lot from the experience.

I suppose I showed my cards when I purchased three Smart Missile fillies from his first crop of foals but I was confident he was the best of the new sires in his year and he went on to be Champion First Season Sire in Australia and now is a clear leader in the Second Season Sire’s List. 45 first season sires had runners in the 2015/16 season.

I have been busy getting around looking at yearlings and visited Mill Park in South Australia on Monday. The Watson family from Mill Park are amongst the very best breeders in Australia and again they should have strong results at next year’s sales. Some of the horses they have bred on their 12,000 acre farm include Happy Trails, Fawkner, Devil Moon, Gold Guru, Mummify, Rebel Raider, Divine Madonna and Southern Speed.

It is great to have the time to get around these farms this year. It gives me a big leg up heading towards next year’s sales series.

ON THE TRACK I must say I am excited as we head into the biggest week on the Australian Racing Calendar with runners in four of the five states we race in. No doubt the spotlight will be on Flemington where we will be represented by Savoureux on Derby Day, Flying Jess, Hijack Hussy and perhaps Invincible Al on Cup Day.

 Other runners in the week ahead may include Makeadane, Husson Boots and More Than A Rose in Queensland; Brooklyn Lass, Isthmian, Stimuli, Shining Brooke and Chastity Strikes in NSW with Bella Venus and Tough Vic in Tasmania. Added to this we have Cattonar, Husson’s Kiss, Reneged, Right Dress, Watego’s Beach, Lomazzo, Raido and Our Netbank, either jumping out heading to the trials. We are preparing our team for an assault the Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival and I’m pleased with the progress.

MELBOURNE CUP WEEK DRINKS

We will be having drinks at Proper And Son at the South Melbourne Markets on Sunday night before the Cup. Our host for the night will be Irish chef Eugene Lavery with him likely to produce some gems for you to taste and as usual we will have some fine wine on offer. This function is for ‘Clients only and their partners’.

 I expect a good roll up and want to be able to spend time with our many of you during this great week of racing.

For catering purposes please email primethoroughbreds@hotmail.com if you are able to attend by 4pm Wednesday 26 October 2016.

This isn’t a big venue but a good one and we will need numbers for Eugene and won’t be able to take late responses.

The address is: Proper And Son 13/322-326 Coventry St, South Melbourne VIC 3205 (entrance via Coventry Street next to car park ramp).

The function starts at 6pm and will conclude around 9pm.