Storm Cat sire El Nino (USA) is launching his stud career in style in North America.  

Now based at Merlo Downs in Queensland, El Nino sired his latest first-crop winner when My Tee Time scored by more than a length over 1200m at Hawthorne on Friday.  She is trained by David Hinsley and disputed the lead before taking command in the straight.

My Tee Time (2f El Nino – Glitterball by Northern Afleet) was bred in Florida by Michael and Judy Crowe and is raced in partnership by Nemisis Stables and Versatile Thoroughbreds.  

Her victory followed that of Senor Rain who won over 1600m at Santa Anita earlier in the week.  The Peter Miller trained youngster led from the outset to win his second race after breaking through at Del Mar in August.

Senor Rain (2r El Nino – Make My Marq by Marquetry) has also been placed in Listed company in the Afflerbaugh Stakes at Fairplex Park and Indiana Futurity at Hoosier Park.

He was a $38,000 buy from the Barretts 2YO Sale in April for Gary and Cecil Barber.  

El Nino won three sprints in Kentucky and was also G2 placed in the Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga.  Champion sire Storm Cat got him from a half-sister to G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Boston Harbor (Capote).

El Nino is currently serving his first southern mares at Merlo Downs in Rockhampton for a $5,500 (inc gst) service fee.  Studmaster Jeff Marlow stands him with Changeintheweather (Gone West) and Savabeel’s half-brother Garrison Savannah (Danehill).