Saturday morning’s AAP story “Another Smartie” previewed a high-performance afternoon for Independent Stallions shuttler Artie Schiller.

Artie Schiller opened the Flemington and Swan Hill cards with encouraging wins by Hidden Symbol and Song Of The Bell.  The double came hot on the heels of his Tassie winner Smartie Artie.

Artie Schiller (7 winners) has rocketed up the ladder to join Nadeem (Darley) and All Bar One (Oaklands) on top of first-season winners’ table.  

Independent Stallions owner Mike Becker has been quoted as saying the Artie Schillers won’t fire until they are three.  “What he’s already done is commendable,” Becker claimed.  “Given his pedigree and performances, we didn’t really think they would be two year-olds.”

His Contract Racing galloper Hidden Symbol defied running down in the Murray Cox Hcp (1400m) at Flemington.  It was a gutsy gallop considering he was stepping up from 1100 metres at Kilmore seven days earlier.

“He’s a real racehorse and nothing much worries him,” trainer Mat Ellerton said.  “He is only going to get better and we will give him a break now.  You will probably see him again in the late spring or summer.

Hidden Symbol (2g Artie Schiller – Marsiliana by Marscay) is a younger half-brother to former stablemate Brunello (Testa Rossa).  Ellerton and his Contract Racing partner Simon Zhara prepared Brunello to a Caulfield win and he was also G3 placed in the 2009 Tasmanian Derby before transferring to Perth.

Their dam Marsiliana is a half-sister to G1 Caulfield Cup winner Arctic Scent (Blazing Sword).

Song Of The Bell opened the second day of the Swan Hill carnival with a comprehensive victory in the Arch Of Gold Syndicate Maiden (975m).

Song Of The Bell (2f Artie Schiller – Of The Purple by General Nediym) had failed on a Heavy 10 first-up at Sandown but was always in control on a Good 3 on Saturday.

Ridden by Michelle Payne for her trainer brother Patrick, the winner had three lengths to spare from Tykook (Written Tycoon) and Crystal Reef (Danerich).

Her dam Of The Purple won at Yarra Glen and she is a half-sister to G3 German winner Maranilla (Desert King).

Artie Schiller (El Prado) is by the same sire as Medaglia D’oro.  The Darley shuttler has sired G1 Kentucky Oaks winners Rachel Alexandra and Plum Pretty in his first three crops.  He stood for $88,000 at Darley Kelvinside last year

Artie Schiller was a G1 winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile and he will stand for a $13,200 service fee at Independent Stallions this year.