Independent Air credited deceased sire Kurt with his first winner in the Plush Group Valley Hotel Maiden at Gawler on Wednesday.

Kurt (Dolphin Street) was based at Rivers End Stud on the old Lakewood Stud site.  It’s situated at the mouth of the Murray River in South Australia.

Independent Air (4g Kurt – Dicey Reilly by Ark Regal) is a homebred for Murray Bridge trainer Simon Casey and is just the second starter for his sire.  Kurt’s other runner Eagle Blue was placed at his only start to date at Balaklava in August.

Kurt was originally prepared by Peter Hayes and, after winning a Murray Bridge maiden on Australia Day, 2001, went on to claim 11 sprints for trainer Paul Seater.  He died in July after covering 21 mares in four seasons at stud.