New adventure

The China Horse Club has confirmed dual Group 1 winner Madison County (NZ) (Pins) is to do his future racing in the United States.

The 4-year-old will be relocated to the stable of leading trainer Chad Brown.

Madison County has won four of his 14 starts for Cambridge conditioners Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, including successes last season in the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas and the G1 Levin Classic and was runner-up in the G1 Australian Derby.

The gelding has been unplaced in appearances during the Melbourne spring carnival, but has been hampered by wide barrier draws

First for trainer

True Self (Ire) (Oscar {Ire}) has handed Irish trainer Willie Mullins with his first win on Australian soil with a smart victory in the G3 Queen Elizabeth S. at Flemington.

The mare also picked up a $200,000 bonus for her connections following Saturday's win after being balloted from Tuesday's G1 Melbourne Cup.

"We're happy, we have a winner," Mullins said. "A winner is also better than finishing fifth or sixth in the Cup."

Mullins indicated True Self may now head to the G1 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in December.

Japan Cup off

Dual G1 Melbourne Cup placegetter Prince Of Arran (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}) will bypass the G1 Japan Cup.

Trainer Charlie Fellowes said he would not go because Japanese racing rules do not allow the use of barrier blankets.

Fellowes said he would instead head to the Hong Kong Vase at next month's International meeting at Sha Tin as originally planned.

Reykjavik runs hot

Reykjavik (Artie Schiller {USA}) was given a good run behind the pace by Dean Yendall and strong in the run home in the G3 Network 10 Chatham S.

“It was a good ride and he’s a nice horse. Sometimes horses can over-achieve and he’s one of them,” trainer Lindsey Smith said.

Reykjavik hit the front 200 metres from home and held off the late charge of Admiral’s Joker (Bel Esprit) and Noble Boy (Bon Hoffa) made ground near the fence for third.

Pedigree to fore

Well-related colt Banquo (Written Tycoon) posted his first black type victory when he won the Listed Springtime S. at Flemington.

It was his second success from five starts for the brother to the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Booker, who cost a syndicate that includes Waikato Stud $600,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

“He’s a beautiful style of colt who can go on to bigger and better things,” trainer Danny O’Brien said.

Jockey impressed

Summer plans for stakes-placed filly Lucicello (I Am Invincible) are yet to be confirmed, but winning jockey Jason Collett has no doubt she can make her presence felt this campaign.

The Chris Waller-trained 3-year-old resumed off a let-up in Saturday's Shopper Media H. at Rosehill and quickly rounded up her rivals to score comfortably.

"Class shone through. She's a really nice filly," Collett said. "She rounded them up easy.

"She only had a quiet trial and knowing Chris, fitness will come further into the prep. He's obviously got bigger races planned."

Group 1 target

Sensei (Dream Ahead {USA}) finished third in the last running of the G1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph., and that race is again on his summer program.

The 5-year-old opened his current campaign at Riccarton where he won the Listed Yesberg Insurance Pegasus S. by a wide margin.

“From the word go we’ve had a massive opinion of this horse and he’s still got it all ahead of him,” co-trainer Matthew Pitman said.

As long as he comes through Saturday’s run well. Sensei will back-up in the G3 Lindauer Stewards’ S. on Wednesday.

Bargain buy wins

Lady Banff (Top Echelon) was the cheapest buy among trainer Matt Dunn's yearlings this year and she could turn out to be one of his best.

Inside information on the filly served Dunn well when he went to $40,000 for the filly at the Magic Millions March sales.

"I trained her dam Alberta and she had a lot of ability but also some mental issues," Dunn said. "This filly has none of those issues and she had trialled well.

"I think Lady Banff was the cheapest yearling we bought this year and she has already repaid her purchase price."

Sizzling return

Last season’s G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner Media Sensation (I Am Invincible) made a successful start to her 4-year-old campaign in the Listed Legacy Lodge S. at Te Rapa.

“I’m very pleased as she seemed to put herself there very easily,” co-trainer Peter Williams said.

“I had been a wee bit worried that she had lost a bit of her gate speed but she has shown me today that she hasn’t.

“She looks like she has come up well and I’m happy with her. We’ll go home now and speak to the owners, but we’ll play a patient game with her.”

Race abandoned

A race at Te Rapa was abandoned after jockey Ashvin Goindasamy parted company with his mount Just Treasure (NZ) (Redwood {GB}).

As he lay stricken on the track receiving medical treatment, the remainder of the field were signalled to by officials to pull up.

Goindasamy suffered a knee injury and was stood down for the remainder of the card.

Exciting newcomer

G1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Phoenix Of Spain (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) will stand his introductory season at the Irish National Stud for €15,000 (AU$28,500) in 2020.

“We expect breeders to be bowled over by Phoenix Of Spain’s physicality,” said the Irish National Stud’s Cathal Beale. “He’s a strong, correct horse with an amazing walk.”

Invincible Spirit (Ire) once again heads the roster, and he will stand for €100,000 (AU$190,000) in 2020. Free Eagle (Ire) is available for €12,500 (AU$23,750), while two stallions with their first foals of 2019, Decorated Knight (GB) and National Defense (Ire), will stand for €9000 (AU$17,100) and €8000 (AU$15,200), respectively.

Nathaniel’s fee unchanged

After a year in which Enable (GB) won three Group 1 races, her sire, Nathaniel’s (Ire) fee will remain at £25,000 (AU$46,500) for 2020 at Newsells Park Stud. Equiano (Fr) will remain at £6000 (AU$11,200).

Reflecting on the stud fees, Newsells Park Stud’s General Manager, Julian Dollar said: “Both stallions have enjoyed another fantastic year. In particular, Nathaniel has solidified his position as one of Europe’s leading young stallions with another five Group winners and 13 Group/Stakes performers in 2019, led by the phenomenon that is Enable.”

Star stallion

Sea The Stars (Ire), whose standout performers this year included the triple Group 1 and Classic winner Star Catcher (GB), champion stayer Stradivarius (Ire) and top-class middle-distance performer Crystal Ocean (Ire), will stand for €150,000 (AU$285,000) in 2020 at the Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud in Ireland.

Siyouni (Fr) heads the Aga Khan’s French roster at Haras de Bonneval, and he stays at €100,000 (AU$190,000) next year.

Siyouni stands alongside Dariyan (Fr) (€8000) (AU$15,200), who has his first yearlings this year, and Zarak (Fr) (€12,000) (AU$22,800), who will be represented by his first foals at this year’s breeding stock sales.