Tommy Shelby

ANYONE who watched in awe of the early pace Tommy Shelby showed to head off the Egg field at Wenty on Saturday night would have also thought just what a potential stud dog star he could become.

Well, I did for one.

The son of Fernando Bale-Serena Fly High took his race record to 44 starts for 29 wins and 11 placings and the victory in the Egg took his bank roll to $1 million.

OK, you will all be saying ... yes he's a great race dog but what makes him better than any other son of Fernando Bale going to stud, or any other great race dog?

The fact he is from WA leads me to believe he could really be something special at stud.

Consider just for one the fact he has to come from WA to compete against home town heroes when taking on the best races in the East.

Unusual surroundings, different water, food, the stress of being flown about the country ... the fact he has now won Group 1s in three different states proves just what an adaptable dog he is.

That, to me, makes him a perfect stud dog of the future.

His successes include the G1 Australian Cup, G1 Golden Easter Egg, G1 Hobart 1000, G3 Perth Cup Consolation and the state final of the National Sprint. He also picked up a few minor finals on his home track at Cannington.

But, he has been placed in the G1 Vic Peters, G1 Melbourne Cup, G1 Gold Bullion, G3 Gold Ticket and the Million Dollar Chase.

He's also been a finalist in the G1 Topgun, G1 Temlee and G2 WA Derby.

If those sort of performances don't command a successful stud career ... then what does?

He is a son of Fernando Bale and his dam Serena Fly High was a high class race bitch and is a quality producer.

Tommy's littermates Jumbo Jet, Kirra Monelli, Steve Monelli and Withers Monelli are all extra smart gallopers.

And Serena Fly High, from her next litter by Barcia Bale, is the mother of Jungle Deuce (G3 New Sensation, WPk 29.31) who put the writing on the wall for his older brother with that New Sensation victory early on Saturday night.

Tommy's pedigree is hugely conducive to success at stud.

He will be absolutely ideal for bitches with lots of Brett Lee and certainly Collision.

His damsire Bit Chili works fabulously with Brett Lee and he is also working great with Aston Dee Bee.

Tommy's second dam Sky Fly High is bred on the famed cross of virtual sisters Flying Amy and True Temptation.

Big Daddy Cool, as the sire of his second dam, means daughters of Fabregas will be a natural for him. Many of the best progeny sired by Fabregas have Big Daddy Cool and Token Prince (sire of Tommy's 3rd dam) in their pedigree.

And, Fernando Bale and Fabregas too have a great "nick" happening.

Zambora Brockie daughters are also a MUST for Tommy. That's because he has Trendy Leigh, the half brother to Big Daddy Cool, in his damline.

Brockie bitches in-bred to Trendy Leigh and Brett Lee should produce special offspring to Tommy Shelby.

I'd love to see that special Qld race bitch Sequana go to Tommy Shelby. Put me down for a couple of pups from that litter.

The Smokey Melody/Frisky Red direct damline has also done extremely well when mated to Collision. There is a common bond through the damline.

And, daughters of Dyna Double One too should suit Tommy. The Qld GOTY Dam Slippery is by Dyna Double One from Tommy's direct damline.

The breeding opportunities for Tommy Shelby are endless. I've touched on just a very small number of crosses for him when he finally retires to stud.

Let's hope that is not for a while though.