Danehill Express sired his first city double of the season with Topper’s Halo and Zedspiel at Belmont on Wednesday.
The Mungrup Stud sire emerged on the national stage last season finishing fourth on the Australian second-second winners’ premiership with 30 winners of 45 races.
TOPPER’S HALO (4g Danehill Express – Halo No by Don’t Say Halo) burst through a gap in the AFL Grand Final Packages Hcp (1400m) to make it two from three since resuming from a 33 week spell.
“He should be unbeaten this year,” trainer Dion Luciani claimed. “He was terribly unlucky last time and I was shocked when they bet $4. I thought he was a special.”
Topper’s Halo hails from a home-grown family that goes back generations at Mungrup and studmaster Gray Williamson sold him for $27,000 at the 2011 Perth Magic Millions.
Perth couple Lex and Shirley Piper have supported Danehill Express since he arrived at Mungrup and they’re being rewarded with winners like Zedspiel.
The Paul Jordan trained gelding saluted in the Skyy Vodka Hcp (1200m) first up after an 18 week spell. “He finished right behind the money in Listed races last time in,” Jordan said. “I think he races best fresh.
“Good luck to Lex and Shirley,” Jordan added. “He wasn’t finishing off his races last time in and we will let him find his legs now.”
ZEDSPIEL (4g Danehill Express – Zedfire by Zedrich) was retained by the Pipers after failing to make a $50,000 reserve at the 2011 Perth Magic Millions. He has an unraced 3yo sister named Zedfire Express with trainer Joe Miller.
Danehill Express started the week with Sunday’s Singapore winner Joyous Express. He was a $25,000 buy for Steven Burridge from Mungrup at the 2011 Perth Magic Millions.
JOYOUS EXPRESS (4g Danehill Express – Rumours by Umatilla) is a younger half-brother to Perth winners Rumoured (Scenic) and Secret Enigma (Bletchley Park) and has already earned AUD 85,870 in prizemoney.
Another early winner materialised at Monday’s Lark Hill trials when Bangkok Express cruised home in a 950 metres hit-out.
BANGKOK EXPRESS (3g Danehill Express – Ishibabe by Ishiguru) is trained by Simon Miller for Geisel Park owner-breeder Eddie Rigg. His NZ bred dam was a precocious type and that augurs well for an intended debut at Belmont next Wednesday, August 21.
Danehill Express is a stakes winning son of breed-shaper Danehill and Mungrup stands him for an $8,800 (inc gst) fee.
DANEHILL EXPRESS