There are not many prouder breeders than Justin Lovatt, the well known horseman who has worked at Widden Stud, Collingrove Stud and Chatswood Stud, beaming every time the name of his horse is mentioned.
And who wouldn't be happy with the deeds of Burning Front, the talented and consistent galloper enjoying a sensational preparation that has seen him win four races since March - not once out of the placings in nine starts since that time.
Finding the line in particuarly determined style at his last two, winning at Pakenham and Geelong, the Darren Weir trained five-year-old has his owners in raptures.
"It took me all day to come down from the high of that last win," Lovatt said, adding that the excitement has been rubbing off on his fellow workers at Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill Mine in Western Australia.
"He is earning quite a
cult following there now!"
Lovatt gains special satisfaction from Burning Front's victory as he also bred him - and he owns his sire Primus and his dam She's A Knockout.
Excited to be standing Primus at Stonehurst Farm near Euroa this spring - and delighted that the handsome bay from the prolific Denise's Joy family is already attracting solid bookings - Lovatt is looking forward to a full sibling to Burning Front next year.
Not in foal this year, She's A Knockout has a return date with Primus this season and in the meantime Lovatt has the careers of her other progeny to enjoy - a two-year-old Casino Prince filly trained by Luke Pepper and an eye-catching Written Tycoon filly who heads to next year's yearling sales.
She's A Knockout, who derived her name from part owner Kostya Tszyu, is described by Lovatt as "a goldmine."
"Everything she produces has above average ability."
Sent to Mister C at her first year at stud, She's A Knockout foaled the five times winner Cajo Kellila whose own first foal (Autonomous) by Primus is showing early ability for the Weir stable.
Next for She's A Knockout was the Flemington juvenile winner Apollo Creed, a horse with enormous talent but whose career was sadly impeded by injury.
And then there was Burning Front.
"All of her progeny have a fantastic finishing burst and a real will to win," Lovatt enthused.
Lovatt is also a big fan of Primus, a horse he is looking forward to showing off at Stonehurst Farm's inaugural open day to be held in late August with details to be announced.
For more information on the Gr.3 winning Primus please contact Stonehurst Farm's Anne Richardson on 0425 859 407 or Justin Lovatt on 0416 063 873.
