Young Lionel signals big week for Blackfriars

Young Lionel is the latest black-type winner for Blackfriars following his half-length victory in the LR Northam Cup (1600m) on Sunday.
The Scenic Lodge champion has now sired 31 stakes winners and it was his third Northam Cup in the last five editions following Son Of Something (2014) and Moneghetti (2011).
The Avon Valley victory begins a big week for Blackfriars who has Kia Ora Koutou lining up as second-favourite for the G1 Victoria Derby at Flemington this Saturday.
Young Lionel is trained by Lou Luciani and he also prepared the gelding’s dam Prime Again (Marooned) to win the 1994 Northam Cup when he was private trainer for Tilden Park owner Dallas Dempster.
“It’s always good to win a race from one you’ve had in the past,” Luciani said. “Prime Again was one of my favourites and this bloke is becoming one, too.”
Young Lionel’s next assignment will be the LR Ascot Gold Cup (1800m) on November 7. He has earned $390,000 for part-owners Colin Teede, Mike Kikeros and Lyle Bailey since graduating from Scenic Lodge for $35,000 at the 2010 Perth Magic Millions.
Blackfriars (Danehill) won the 1999 Victoria Derby for owner-breeder Robert Sangster before retiring to Scenic Lodge where he stands for a $12,000 (plus gst) service fee.