Merlo Downs stallion El Nino (USA) is storming up the second-season charts in the USA after another four winners in the last week.

His brilliant filly Joy Rising put nine lengths between the placegetters in Delaware on Monday.  She rushed straight to the front and set a fast, uncontested lead to claim her maiden over 1200 metres.  Equibase reported runner-up Hava Dream was no match for winner.

Joy Rising (3f El Nino- Mary’s Special by Atticus) was bred by Bella Inizio Farm in New York and sold for $25,000 at 2011 Barretts April 2YO Sale.  She is the first foal of a mare that won 3 races up to 1700m.  Her dam is a half-sister to G3 Aqueduct winner Special Broad (Broad Brush)

El Nino (Storm Cat) has now sired 14 individual winners from his first crop at a pleasing 64% strike-rate.  All four of his winners last week scored barrier-to-box victories.

Black-type sprinter Senor Rain won by three lengths, Doppler Radar bolted in by eight lengths and Ziva Cat broke her maiden by two lengths and change before Joy Rising saluted.

Senor Rain (3r El Nino – Make My Marq by Marquetry) is also a graduate of the 2011 Barretts April 2YO Sale making $38,000.  He is trained by Peter Miller for Gary and Cecil Barber and has won four races and been stakes placed six times!

El Nino won three sprints in Kentucky and was also G2 placed in the Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga.  He is by Champion sire Storm Cat from a half-sister to G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Boston Harbor (Capote).

Queensland breeders Jeff and Lea Marlow imported El Nino last year after he stood three seasons at Swifty Farms which is based 100km north of Churchill Downs in Kentucky.  He looks tailor-made to take advantage of the increased funding for QTIS.

El Nino stands at Merlo Downs for a $5,500 (inc gst) service fee alongside Changeintheweather (Gone West) and Savabeel’s half-brother Garrison Savannah (Danehill).