Merlo Downs resident El Nino (USA) has been siring his share of winning doubles in North America and now he’s doubling up in the breeding barn!

The Storm Cat stallion is the proud father of twin foals delivered by Gilded Time mare Gilded Tiara at the Central Queensland nursery earlier this month.  The dam won five races for the late, great Jim Atkins including an Eagle Farm sprint in December 2003.

The twins – a colt and filly – are being treated like royalty by Merlo Downs owners Jeff and Lea Marlow.  “When they were foaled, I just cried and cried,” Lea Marlow admitted.  “They looked so beautiful and have an identical blaze and offside white legs.

“Gilded Tiara is a great Mum and both foals are thriving.  But sometimes there’s just a little bit of argy-bargy for position at the milk bar.”

The Marlows will retain the twins to race themselves.  “Jeff is a licensed trainer,” Lea said.  “And wouldn’t it be lovely if they could win a race each on the same day.”

The twins arrived just days after El Nino filly Joy Rising doubled up with front-running victories at Delaware Park in the United States.  She put 9 lengths between the placegetters in August and then flew the coop for another 4 length runaway earlier this month.

The latest El Nino winner arrived on Tuesday when The Boy From Roy won his maiden by 8 lengths for owner-trainer Marvin Johnson at Hoosier Park.

The Boy From Roy (3g El Nino – Secret Aura by A P Indy) is from a half-sister to Churchill Downs G2 winner Rock And Roll (Cure the Blues).  Second dam Secret’s Halo (Halo) is a three-quarter-sister to former Queensland based sire Irgun.

El Nino won three sprints in Kentucky and was also G2 placed in the Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga.  He is by Champion sire Storm Cat from a half-sister to G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Boston Harbor (Capote).

His first USA crop numbers 15 winners at a sensational 79% strike-rate.  Top of the pile is Senor Rain who has won 4 races and been stakes placed 6 times.

El Nino is standing his second southern season at Merlo Downs this year.  He is priced at a $5,500 (inc gst) service fee alongside Changeintheweather (Gone West) and Savabeel’s half-brother Garrison Savannah (Danehill).

Broodmare owners can contact the Marlows for further information on (07) 4934 1697.

– Karl Patterson

El Nino – Gilded Tiara twins pictured two days after being foaled