First-up Ascot winner August Knight will push through the grades this preparation and that will help showcase his sire Husson Lightning.

August Knight (3g Husson Lightning – Victuals by Saratoga Springs) accelerated like a horse well short of his high-water mark in the Westspeed Hcp (1000m) on Wednesday.  “That was very impressive,” trainer Adam Durrant said.  “He’s still a bit podgy but we came here instead of trialling next week.  And the claim for Chantelle (O’Grady) brought him in at 54kg.”

Husson Lightning (Hussonet) stood at Heytesbury Stud prior to its breeding operation being closed down by owner Paul Holmes a Court in January.  He was based at the Keysbrook property alongside proven stallion Saxon (Danehill) and first-season sire Ouqba (Red Ransom).

Perth bloodstock agent John Chalmers is fielding offers for the stallions on behalf of Holmes a Court.  Saxon is also in form siring winners like Saxy Filly (Bunbury) and the Durrant-trained My Bonny Lad (Ascot) in the last week.

Meanwhile, August Knight will more than pay his way according to Durrant.  “He’s only a little fella – 15.2 hands at best – but he put them away with a nice turn of foot when it counted.  He’s a Westspeed horse and I told the owners he can make up for some of the bad luck they had with him last year.”

August Knight is the first winner for former Oakland Park mare Victuals.  Second-dam Gourmet Star (Luskin Star) is a half-sister to Shirazamatazz (G1 WATC Derby) and Reigning Halo (LR Melvista Stakes).

Victuals foaled another colt by Husson Lightning last August.