Darley Kelvinside resident Shaft sired his first winner on Boxing Day when Deakes cruised home in the Speight’s Cider-Young Gun 2YO (1100m) at Wingatui.

Deakes (2g Shaft – Long Walk by Over) is trained by John Sargent at Matamata and he broke through in New Zealand’s South Island after a strong second on debut at Riccarton on December 16.

The winner was a $60,000 buy out of the Oxford Thoroughbreds draft at the 2011 NZB Select yearling sale in February.  He is a younger half-brother to G3 ATC Skyline Stakes winner Uate (Ad Valorem).

Their dam Long Walk won twice at Moonee Valley and she has a yearling colt by Yarraman Park sire Trotmondo.

Shaft (Flying Spur) only raced six times and the highlight was a G2 victory in the 2007 Silver Slipper Stakes beating Husson Lightning and Murtajill.  His dam Traceable (Rahy) is a half-sister to Australian Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy.  

Darley stands Shaft for a $7,700 (inc gst) service fee.