It’s been raining winners for Bluegrass Bloodstock (FBAA) with doubles in Adelaide and Victoria on the weekend ahead of a Group 1 assignment in the Toorak Hcp at Caulfield.

Morphettville has been a happy hunting-ground for Bluegrass agent Lenny Russo this season and he claimed another double with Paseeto and Moss ‘N’ Dale on Saturday.

Paseeto (Nicconi) settled just behind leading pair then quickly exerted his dominance when asked to extend in the Schweppes Hcp (1300m).  A $66,000 buy from Murrulla Stud at the 2016 Gold Coast Magic Millions, he is trained by Tony McEvoy for Dream Thoroughbreds.

“I’ve been looking forward to riding him all week,” Jamie Kah said.  “He relaxed and cruised along in a nice rhythm.  That was his first run for six months and he will go on to bigger things this season.”

Moss ‘N’ Dale (Castledale) completed the Bluegrass brace in the UBET Hcp (1400m) for Peter Gelagotis and apprentice Brandon Stockdale.  He’s fast becoming a Morphettville Parks track specialist with three wins and a second from four starts on the circuit.

“He bounced out and tracked the pace until a run came in the straight,” Stockdale said.  “I gave him a squeeze and he was strong through the line.”

Moss ‘N’ Dale has built up an excellent strike-rate since Russo bought him as a unraced 3yo in New Zealand.  In 19 starts, he’s won 9 and placed in 5 for earnings over $270,000.

The Kiwi connection has been a successful breeding ground for Bluegrass.  This year’s G3 Hobart Cup winner Count Da Vinci (Faltaat) was purchased from NZ for owner Wayne Notram and his Scott Brunton-trained stablemate Earl Da Vinci (Road To Rock) revelled on a Heavy 10 first-up in Launceston on September 27.

Sunday’s Victorian double kicked off with Moss ‘N’ Dale’s younger brother Moss ‘N’ Bolt at Bairnsdale.  He wasn’t sighted on debut at Ballarat last month but was specked from $13 into $8.50 ahead of anticipated improvement in the Gippsland Grain Store Maiden Plate (1600m).

Their dam Hot ‘N’ Moss (Strategic Prince) boarded at Te Runga Stud in Pukekohe and studmaster Wayne Larsen kept a share in both winners.

Columbia (Denman) rounded out a remarkable weekend for Bluegrass in the Parker Earthmoving Hcp (1300m) at Seymour.  He was sourced from Attunga Stud at the 2016 Gold Coast Magic Millions on behalf of a Dream Thoroughbreds syndicate managed by Dave Azzopardi.

Russo and the Dream Team return to Caulfield this Saturday with Mr Sneaky for the G1 Toorak Hcp (1600m).  The High Chaparral sprinter was being called a Group 1 winner a fortnight ago before stablemate Santa Ana Lane snatched a late victory in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) was formed in 1988 to maintain, improve and develop the standards, status and services of bloodstock agents throughout Australia.  Its members operate with the utmost integrity and professionalism and are bound by the strict Industry Code of Conduct.

The list of FBAA members can be viewed at:  www.bloodstockagents.com.au

PASEETO