TBV committee member Christine Mills is looking forward to the G1 Doncaster Mile next month after winning the LR Bendigo Golden Mile (1600m) with Fat Al.

Fat Al (5g Al Maher – Fatoon by Snaadee) won the G1 Epsom Hcp in 2012 and he has been given a 1kg penalty for Randwick’s other Big Mile on April 12.

Chris and her husband Peter race the gelding with a syndicate that includes Steve and Leanne Bruhn.  “The rain made the enclosure a bit dodgy with high-heels,” Mills said.  “But that didn’t stop the celebrations.”

Peter Mills has owned a share in Fat Al since Gai Waterhouse bought him for $27,000 at the 2010 Inglis Easter yearling sale.  He was transferred to Peter Moody’s stables in June last year and the Bendigo Mile on Saturday boosted his earnings to $763,450.

“Fat Al lost form with Gai and she gave him the flick,” Chris explained.  “But he’s come good since coming down to Melbourne.”

Well-known in the industry as Chris Nevill since establishing Hollylodge Thoroughbreds at Avenel in 1998, she married Mills late last year.

They owns farms at Avenel, Northwood and Finley in NSW.  Mills operates a bloodstock consultancy and stallion management service as well as standing Zupaone.

Zupaone is a Group 3 winning son of Flying Spur and there have been 6 winners from his first 11 starters.  He stands for a $3,500 service fee.

Hollylodge has bred 33 individual winners from its own mares and the next one on the horizon is Al’s Kitchen (Al Samer).  He is trained by Mat Ellerton and Simon Zahra and faces the starter for the first time in the Super VOBIS 2YO Maiden Plate (1100m) at Moe this Friday.

Chris has also written an E Book;  ‘How to Breed a Winning Racehorse’.   It’s a great guide for the newcomer to breeding and racing or those who want more information on foaling down and much more.

It can be downloaded and purchased for $39.95 at:  www.breedawinningracehorse.com

CHRISTINE MILLS