The past few weeks have witnessed some pretty positive signs concerning the majority of the stallions on our 2008 roster. Whether it has been on the racetrack or on the periphery, more than a couple of developments have taken place which are certainly worthy of discussion.

The profile of ZARIZ grows by the week with the former brilliant sprinter represented by progeny making significant inroads in better and better quality races.

Already the sire of a Group 1 Derby winner, ZARIZ is now getting a greater quantity of runners more to type, with the likes of Zaazorro and Zarvista racing prominently of late.

Zaazorro is proving to be a very capable metropolitan performer in Adelaide and landed a 1000-metre contest at Cheltenham during the final week of April.

Zarvista, on the other hand, took the Wagga Town Plate Prelude (1200m) — in the very good time of 1m09.28s — before finishing second in the Wagga Town Plate proper during the Gold Cup carnival.

ZARIZ was represented by a rangy bay colt at the Sydney Classic Yearling Sale and this member of our consignment had no shortage of admirers.

The first foal of a Keltrice half-sister to the juvenile stakes winners Mot D’Or (SAJC Oaklands P.-LR) and Sock It Babe (SAJC Cinderella S.-LR), this youngster fetched $26,000 when sold to Kiwi bloodstock agent Paul Beamish.

Coincidentally, two HALF HENNESSY youngsters offered at the Sydney Classic Yearling Sale also found themselves purchased by New Zealand interests with Paul Moroney taking a liking to them both.

A HALF HENNESSY colt from our draft, the ninth foal of Group 3 winner Shadowy Outline, went through the sale as Lot 485, as well as another presented by Edinglassie Stud as Lot 396, with both being knocked-down to the same bidder.

Paul Moroney, of course, is a brother to Michael Moroney, one of New Zealand‘s finest trainers. Paul’s reputation regarding bloodstock sale selection is second to none and includes the purchase of 2008 Group 1 STC Coolmore Classic winner Eskimo Queen.

HALF HENNESSY might still be waiting for his first 2-year-old winner, but there is enough happening with the breed to suggest that the Group 1 winning son of Hennessy (USA) will definitely make the grade.

Besides such a good judge as Paul Moroney taking a fancy to the breed, the Sydney metropolitan performances of Hangover Henry were immensely promising and we look forward to the galloper returning to competition.

More recently, a HALF HENNESSY 2-year-old filly from Better Princess by the name of Better Blonde won a jump-out at Canberra in good style.

According to connections, Better Blonde was immediately spelled after the all-the-way victory with a view to her promising spring campaign.

The career of Exceed And Excel continues to go from strength to strength and recently witnessed the first season sire sensation celebrating his fifth individual stakes winner of the 2007/08 season.

On the Flemington program staged on ANZAC Day, Outdo did best in the Listed VRC Anzac Day Stakes over 1400 metres to become 2-year-old black-type winner No. 5 from Exceed And Excel’s first crop.

The win of Outdo came in the lead-up to the 2008 Select Yearling Sale that witnessed Exceed And Excel record some exceptional figures for a ‘new ’ sire. The stallion’s consignment saw 20 sold for an aggregate of $6,245,000 and an average of no less than $312,250.

Needless to say, our fascination with Exceed And Excel stems from the fact that Riverdene Stud will stand his half-brother, ENEMY OF AVERAGE, this coming breeding season.

A powerful chestnut letting down into a magnificent individual, ENEMY OF AVERAGE has settled into his new surroundings in very pleasing fashion and impresses everyone to have anything to do with him.

Only a few shares remain in ENEMY OF AVERAGE following the pleasing response we have received since securing him for our roster. Stud representative David Keegan is available on 0417-378-591 for all enquiries.

The 2008 Inglis Select Yearling Sale also witnessed the sale of a half-brother to SEIDNAZAR.

Catalogued as Lot 65, the bay colt by Elvstroem from Dangerous Seam (NZ) was presented by Willow Park Stud of Scone and knocked-down to Caulfield trainer Colin Little for $200,000.

The Elvstroem colt is the ninth foal of Dangerous Seam whose six foals to race include five winners.