King Of Prussia 3yo Yulong January has paid his dues and petrol money making two return trips from Melbourne to Swan Hill in the last month.

The Ciaran Maher-trained sprinter has clocked up 1,400km to the Sunraysia winning a maiden on August 20 and returning for an even easier victory in the TAC Be Races Ready Hcp on Friday.  He’s come out running for Linda Meech on both occasions scoring by a combined five lengths.

“I love him,” Meech said.  “And I just about cried when I thought Ciaran was sending him to Adelaide tomorrow instead of coming up here today.”

Yulong January (3c King Of Prussia – Duty With Honour by West Point) started an odds-on favourite second-up and found another gear when challenged by Diamond Diva who was ridden by John Allen.  “When we pulled up, John told me he was surprised how well he kicked,” Meech added.  “I wasn’t – I knew what was underneath me.  He’s still learning and the wins up here have been just like barrier trials with prizemoney.”

Friday’s victory also signalled a step up to city racing in the near future for the younger brother to Adelaide stakes winner Justify That.

Yulong January was bred by Wangaratta-based Allan Price and was a $20,000 buy for Yulong Investments owner Zhang Yuesheng at the 2017 Inglis Premier yearling sale.  “We’ve been happy with him at home,” stable foreman Declan Maher said.  “It was a top ride by Linda and it’s nice to have a good one for Mr Zhang.  He looked a smart horse in the straight.”

A reliable source of winners for over a decade, King Of Prussia (Anabaa) first broke through when his 2yo filly Miss Aristocrat won at Bendigo in January 2007.  She was prepared by Allen Browell and the sireline has been a regular provider for the Bendigo trainer with 27 wins to date.

“King Of Prussia turned 20 this year and is good as gold,” Greta West Stud’s Laurie McCarthy said on Monday.  “His fertility has never been a problem although he doesn’t get that many mares these days.  There’s about 50 mares foaling down here this season and we’re walking around 30 on to other studs.”

Greta West graduate Solomon (Street Boss) looked a nice type running second in a 3yo trial at Cranbourne on Monday morning.  He was a $78,000 buy for trainer Gerard Moloney at the 2017 Inglis VOBIS Gold Yearling Sale.

His older half-sister Clarice Cliffs (Canford Cliffs) won a Sale maiden on debut last month and finished second to Declarationofheart at Sandown before Greg Eurell sent her out for a break.

McCarthy sent their dam No Vanity (Keep The Faith) to Swettenham Stud last year and she’s due to Toronado in October.

Greta West Stud stands King Of Prussia for a $2,200 service fee alongside Master Of Design (Redoute’s Choice) at $4,400.

YULONG JANUARY