Imported to stand at Winning Colours Farm in central NSW more for his striking markings as a sabino chestnut thoroughbred than his racing ability, Moonlark (USA) showed he had the genetics to get fast horse as well as a pretty one when posting his first winner at Grafton on Sunday with an easy victory for two year-old gelding Moonhawk.
Fifth and second at his first two starts, Moonhawk flew out of the gates this
time from barrier 11 and led all the way, kicking on strongly down the running
to win the 1000 metre maiden by a length and a half as favourite.Trained by Paul Smith, he is the third winner from Brisbane metro winner Ritzy Hawk, who is by the Brave Warrior stallion Brave Hawk from a daughter of Golden Slipper winning sire Star Watch.
Moonhawk has a prominent white blaze and a three white socks, no doubt owing his colour in part to his sire Moonlark, an imported son of Gone West that won two modest races at Hollywood Park from 15 starts.
A $625,000 yearling, Moonlark has striking good looks and a pedigree that should be able to deliver more winners than just Moonhawk, who looks as though this win will not be his last!
Moonlark has covered 107 mares in his first four seasons at Winning Colours Farms and appears to be producing some strikingly marked offspring.
