El Cumbres (Chi) is the latest son of Hussonet to sire a winner after Dragon Ninetynine landed a Kranji maiden on Friday night.

Dragon Ninetynine (3g El Cumbres – Salacious by Covetous) came from the second-half of the field to collar the leaders at the end of 1200 metres.  He was racing second-up after a slashing effort behind Street Cat on January 11.

Trainer David Hill has always rated the Australian bred three year-old.  “He has taken time to mature but has really turned the corner since being gelded last year,” Hill’s daughter Samantha said.  “We removed the blinkers, too and the results showed straightaway.

“The wide draw was a bit of a concern tonight and he looked too far back at the top of the straight but Zuriman (Zulkiflilad) said he sure has a few gears.  He’s got a bit of a future and we may test him over longer.”

Dragon Ninetynine is a half-brother to Sydney winners Slippery Sal (Waajib) and Tempo (Danehill Dancer).  He cost $5,000 from Phoenix Broodmare Farm at the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Autumn yearling sale.

In the wake of Weekend Hussler’s 2008 Australian Horse of the Year award, the industry began sourcing sons of Hussonet and they have made an immediate mark with Husson, Host, Husson Lightning and Reaan all off to good starts at stud.

John Messara imported Hussonet to Arrowfield Stud in 2003 and he was transferred to Cornerstone Stud in 2011.  The Barossa Valley property is also home to his G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winning son Reaan.

Mornmoot Stud owner Robert Thompson stands El Cumbres on Melbourne’s northern outskirts at Whittlesea.  He is available at a $3,300 (inc gst) service.

– Karl Patterson

DRAGON NINETYNINE
First winner for Mornmoot Stud sire El Cumbres