A trio of smart winners

Great to see the tough chestnut St Ives back to his best at Cranbourne last Sunday, the talented gelding racing away to an easy win in the Tour Victoria Country Challenge.

Always in control after jumping straight to the front, the five-year-old looked good recording the fourth win of his 24 start career.

Congratulations to owners Michael Moroney, John Van Veenendaal, Bill Ozzimo, Glenn Mews, Craig Coghlan, Mrs H Carter, Tracey Clark and the First You Get Sugar Syndicate (Graham Gee).

And another winner at Geelong on Tuesday, Schrapnel Gully appreciating a better barrier draw when leading throughout in the Geelong Advertiser 62 ratings handicap.

Congratulations to his connections Vicki Coffey, Ron McKechnie, Mark Lane, Peter Walsh, Michael Burn, Chris Pidcock and Lisa Barker.

And further success at Sale on Australia Day.Having always shown plenty of natural ability, Smoke 'N' Brandy - close up at each of his first three runs during his debut campaign - looked the goods racing away to an easy first up victory.

Lining up for the first time since September, the good looking grey was always travelling well in the 1400m Maiden - nicely rated by Rhys McLeod, successful by a soft three lengths.

Another bargain Classic Sale purchase for Paul Moroney, the $16,000 yearling by Half Hennessy (hence his name) is out of the Gr.3 Sweet Embrace Stakes winner Shadowy Outline.

That mare's sixth winner, Smoke 'N' Brandy hails from a family that Ballymore has enjoyed good success with - the Gr.1 Dubai Racing Club Cup winner Pernod another of it's members.

A couple of that terrific mare's owners - Craig Coghlan and Warren Huntly - race Smoke 'N' Brandy with Craig Hunter, Peter Kennedy, Paul Smith, Ryan Smith, Chris Lynch, Troy Jones, Rob Chester and the Teck Racing Syndicate.