Rockhampton based Merlo Downs Stud has announced North American G1 winner Changeintheweather will stand for a $5,500 (inc gst) service fee in 2010.

Changeintheweather (USA) is a son of influential Mr Prospector sire Gone West.  He broke maiden ranks by 10 lengths prior to winning the Group 1 Grey Breeders Cup at Woodbine by four lengths.

“He is the only Group 1 winning son of Gone West standing in Australia, and one of the very few stallions standing in Queensland that is a Group 1 winning 2YO,” Merlo Downs studmaster Jeff Marlow said.

“With QTIS and QTIS 600 Bonus Incentive Schemes on offer in Queensland, this horse is the perfect candidate to deliver the goods.  He is a proven sire of a two year-old winners, including a two year-old stakes-winner in his first season at stud.”

Changeintheweather (Gone West – Meteor Colony by Pleasant Colony) has started his career on the right note in the United States with a 47 winners at a 73% strike-rate.  His leading performer to date has been Cold Trial, a winner of the LR Hoover Stakes at River Downs and LR Noonan Stakes at Beulah Park.

His progeny win on all surfaces, synthetic, dirt and turf – a consistent trait with Gone West sire sons, and a huge advantage with the emergence of synthetic tracks in Australia.

Changeintheweather is out of a sister to Eclipse Champion 2YO Filly Pleasant Stage (G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies) and a half-sister to Stage Colony (G3 Aqueduct Fort Marcy Hcp).  He is also a three-quarter brother to Marsh Side (Gone West), a G1 winner of the Canadian International.

Changeintheweather will stand his first Australian season at a fee of $5,500.  For booking enquiries please contact Jeff Marlow on (07) 4934 1697.