Oakland Park owner Neville Duncan will stand Group 1 sprinter Sessions in 2015.

The news comes just weeks after Duncan joined forces with Mogumber Stud to bring Sheikh Mohammed stakes winner Safeguard (Exceed And Excel) to Western Australia.

Sessions (5h Lonhro – Seances by Canny Lad) was also raced by Sheikh Mohammed to win 5 of his first 8 starts culminating with Group 2 victory in 2013 The Shorts (1100m).  Lightly-raced but loaded with natural ability, he had always promised plenty and took the opportunity to realise that potential against a crack field of sprinters at Randwick.

“There’s still quite a bit of improvement to come,” trainer Peter Snowden said after The Shorts.  “He’s shown us that he can get to the top and we’ve always had Group 1 aspirations for him.  The Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley is next – it’s a high-pressure kind of race and that will suit him.”

Buffering led the Manikato field before withstanding a strong challenge from Hong Kong star Lucky Nine to win by a short half head.  Sessions, having his first run at Group 1 level, flashed home for third in a blanket finish.

Niggles injuries restricted Sessions to 17 starts and he was last seen finishing down the track in Rubick’s G2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield in October.  He’s a brother to Group 2 winner Renaissance and their stakes winning dam Seances is a half-sister to champion filly Unworldly.

Lonhro’s sons at stud include fellow Darley sires Denman & Benfica and Cooolmore champion Pierro.  His first Sunspeed-based sire Demerit stands at Taunton Vale and he broke through with first crop filly Puteri Jewel on New Year’s Day at Ascot.

Sessions will join an Oakland Park roster that includes Viscount and Rogano.

SESSIONS