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LOUISE ELLIS, the principal of the Argyle Thoroughbreds stud at Panuara near Orange in central western New South Wales, and family had fresh reasons to crack a bottle of Moet champagne after racing in Perth on Saturday.
Particularly stirring for the Ellis was the performance of the 4-year-old gelding Mr.Moet in taking the feature $125,000 Gr3 Strickland Stakes over 2000 metres at Belmont Park.
Stamping him as one of Perth's best middle distance gallopers of this time, it saw him, after being blocked for a run, explode into an opening on the rails and overpower the leaders.
It was another performance by Mr.Moet, a horse who races out of the Adam Durant Lark Hills stables for a family group headed by his breeder H.J.Smith, that suggested he could be a worthy contender in good races in the east.
He has now raced 23 times ten wins – nine in Perth.
A bit of an iron horse, he was contesting his eighth race and securing his fifth win, including his last three in succession, in ten weeks when successful on Saturday.
Mr Moet pleases the palate of Louise Ellis as last year she was able to secure his sire, the impressively bred Mosayter (USA) (Storm Cat – Bashayer, by Mr.Prospector) (pictured left), as the foundation sire for Argyle, a respected agistment farm along Four Mile Creek Road at Panuara on the rolling downs country between Orange and Canowindra.
Besides Mr Moet, the 34 starters that Mosayter has had in the current racing year have included the Perth runners Solsay (15 starts, 6 wins – 3 in succession Perth April 7-June 2), Mickey Drippin (at Ascot won March 31, second April 14), Travinator (5 starts, 3 successive wins, 2 at Ascot), Felined (2 wins Ascot), Shoot For Glory (won Albany April 26, third Belmont on Saturday), Roman Knows (3 successive wins, 2 at Ascot; 5th Belmont Guineas, 6th WA St Leger), Located (2 successive wins Bunbury, 4th and 5th Ascot), Final Cut (2 wins Ascot, 4th Aquanita Stakes) and Rose (in March won Bunbury, Pinjarra, short neck 2nd Ascot).
The performances of the progeny of Mosayter this year should tempt breeders to use his services.
He is on $4,400 at Argyle, home also for Girls Go Racing's sire Marechal, a Danzero stakes winner on a fee of $2,200.
Brian Russell Bloodstock
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