Mental is among the next shipment of Darley gallopers heading off-shore and he will go into quarantine on the back of a G1 victory in the Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington.

The Lonhro gelding ran down Sea Siren who had beaten him last time out in the G1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley.  “I think Mental is better than the horses I’ve already sent overseas,” trainer Peter Snowden said.  “It’s a bit sad to see them go but it’s part of the job.”

Mental (4g Lonhro – Intrigues by Night Shift) became the fifth Group 1 winner for his sire on racing’s centre stage at headquarters.  He follows Denman, Pierro, Benfica and Beaded at the elite level.

Winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy said Mental will do well under the Godolphin banner in Dubai and Europe.  “He’s got a great turn of foot,” McEvoy said.  “He can win a good sprint over there.”

The Patinack Farm Classic was the highlight of a winning day at Flemington for Darley sires.  Other winners during the final meeting of the Melbourne Cup carnival were Eximius (Exceed And Excel), Midnight Martini (Street Cry), Puissance De Lune (Shamardal) and Launay (Lonhro)

Mental is the latest foal out of Intrigues, a daughter of G1 winner Shaybisc and a half-sister to stakes winners Bradshaw, Asarka, Sashed and the dam of G1 winner Freemason.

Lonhro is standing at Darley Kelvinside where his 2012 fee is $110,000 (inc gst).

– Karl Patterson