The Brendan Hill trained Monkey King was a delight to watch as he gently dimissed his opponents with a minimum of fuss. Given a treat of a run by Ricky May in behind the leader and stablemate Baileys Dream, the son of Sands A Flyin won untested by a length from Ohoka Dallas with a neck back to Baileys Dream who went a slasher fresh up, after having not raced for over twelve months.

Monkey King ran the journey in 3.12.2, a milerate of 1.58.9 with closing sectionals of 56.8 and 27.5 for the 800 and 400 respectively. It was a perfect leadup to the Interdominions Series in Sydney which begins on Februay 19 for the Brendan Hill trained pair, with Monkey King in particular right back in the zone according to Sara Famularo of Cavalla Bloodstock. "He seems to know when it's raceday and just wants to win at all cost, I guess you could say he has the killer instinct. But he's a wee character off the track, he's got a bit of an attitude and you know when he's in a mood,"she laughed.

Sara was again on course yesterday to nervously watch "The Monkey and Big Bad Bailey" go about their business. " We were really thrilled with how they both went, and yes I still get nervous. Monkey King was expected to win but that doesn't make it any easier pre-race. Im always relieved after when he goes well,i've kind of got a soft spot for him, he is a bit special. We were wrapped with Bailey too given his time away from racing, he just blew out over the concluding stages,"she said.

The daughter of Cavalla Bloodstock owner Robert Famularo is a busy lady at present assisting with the training and care of some 25 racehorses, 8 yearlings and 32 broodmares at their Ohoka establishment. But are we likely to ever see Sara in those famous colours? " Not likely,I have driven at home but I don't enjoy it. Im happy working groundcrew for Benny with the racehorses and looking after the Broodmares."

Cavalla Bloodstock have shifted away from offering yearlings at sale time for the time being, but the breeding operation continues on full steam ahead with around 75% of the broomare band in foal to mostly Sands A Fyin, with a hint of Bettor's Delight and Art Major. Monkey King and Baileys Dream have both come through yesterday's run in perfect order according to Brendan Hill, with the possibility of a trial before a late flight a few days before the start of the Interdominion Series.

Steve DOLAN