Larneuk Stud's principal Neville Murdoch is probably best to sum up the confidence and expectations of their exciting young second-season sire Cluster (Fastnet Rock).
"He's an extremely capable and superb-looking son of Fastnet Rock who - in my opinion, is on the cusp of being the next significantly influential stallion dynasty in Australia"
Murdoch further emphasises how successful Last Tycoon has been as a broodmare sire and is quick to cite Cluster's female line littered with 2yo stakes performers.
Now, with the first of Cluster's foals on the ground, Murdoch is beaming that the stallion that "went under the radar a bit" will deliver in the sales ring and on the track in due course.
Below is a colt out of Kissed Again - "a very correct colt". Dam is a winning Reset mare. His Granddam Kissed By A King produced four winners inc a SW from five live foals. Kissed By A King is a daughter of STC Sheraco Stks winner Brief Kiss who, in turn is the granddam of Group 2 winner Blueberry Hill.
"We've only seen the first 15 of his foals but I couldn't be more impressed – I know this sounds predictable but seriously, these foals are as good a types as you could ever wish to see"
"Fastnet Rock's sons are proving extremely popular at stud and Cluster is undoubtedly the best value of his Group-winning sons at stud in Victoria."
Cluster raced in stakes races at eight of his 12 starts, proving himself to be an outstanding galloper with a barnstorming victory in the Group Two Theo Marks Stakes when Peter Snowden commended the horse as having "a massive amount of acceleration."
Jockey Tim Clark was equally impressed - "he has an awesome turn of foot - he is certainly Group One quality."
Below is a filly ex Alynya. "a lovely-bodied filly". Dam Alynya is by Husson. Second dam is the Singspiel Group 3 winner A Country Girl from the family of Doomben Ten Thousand winner Mr Innocent.
Cluster covered 69 mares in his first season at stud last year.
He possesses a classic speed pedigree with the great influences of Danehill, Last Tycoon and Bletchingly.
Significantly, Cluster's progeny will all become eligible for the new $1.5 million VOBIS sires feature races.
VOBIS Sires is an enhancement to the existing VOBIS scheme which encourages support of Victorian-based stallions and provides those that do invest in their progeny with the opportunity for lucrative returns.
The progeny of Victorian stallions nominated to VOBIS Sires will be eligible to compete in two exclusive races on the annual Victorian Owners and Breeders Raceday, currently held in April at Caulfield.
Filly ex Grand Manners, a half sister to five individual winners. Dam is by Grand Lodge. Second dam Great manners is a five-time city-winning Rubiton mare. This family includes many of the wonderful horses bred out of South Australia by the Des Pope C/- Rubiton Bloodstock including Ticket To Rome, Truly Wicked, Great Glen and Amber Sky.
Cluster stands at Larneuk Stud at a fee of $6,600. For more information contact Neville Murdoch at www.larneuk.com.
Telephone: 0418 105 706
Email: neville@larneuk.com