Former NSW shuttler Mount Nelson sired his first Australian winner at Geelong on Sunday.

Fine Embers (3g Mount Nelson – Gilded Asset by Gilded Time) wasn’t sighted on debut at Werribee on Australia Day but overcame difficulties second-up to win by a short-neck.  He was slowly away and was also blocked for a run in the straight before Glen Boss got him home in the GRC Function Centre Maiden (1540m).

Fine Embers is trained by Dan O’Sullivan at Ballarat for owner-breeder Frank Monish.  He is a half-brother to Wodonga winner Fine Collect (Grey Swallow).

Mount Nelson (Rock Of Gibraltar) was trained by Aidan O’Brien for Group 1 wins in the 2006 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud and 2008 Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.  He shuttled from Newsells Park in Hertfordshire to Baerami Thoroughbreds in the Hunter Valley but covered a book of just 25 mares in his sole season down here.

In complete contrast, his northern stud career kicked off with the winners of 81 races in 2012 and 2013.  Among his 10 stakes horses have been Berkshire (G2 Royal Lodge Stakes), Purr Along (Second highest rated 2yo filly worldwide in 2012), Ninjago (LR Pavilion Stakes) and G3 Musidora Stakes runner-up Romantic Settings.

Mount Nelson is bred on the same Danzig – Sharpen Up cross as Danehill Dancer and Invincible Spirit.