Lord must be called sire: trainer

AS much as trainer Robbie Laing admires Lord Of The Sky, there is no way he wants the frustrating sprinter in his stable next season.

Jubilant after the maligned speedster scooted to Standish Handicap (1200m) success at Flemington yesterday, Laing urged breeders to consider the entire as a stallion prospect.

“It’s a bit of a mystery to me why a stud doesn’t pick him up,” Laing said after Lord Of The Sky courageously held off Flippant and Chamois Road.

“He’s got championship ability. He’s gone close to winning two Group 1s.

“He went within an inch of beating Chautauqua in the (2015) T.J. Smith and at the very next start drew (barrier) 18 and beat all bar Flamberge in The Goodwood (Handicap), a Group 1.

“He’s a seven-year-old bull, so I’d hate to be saddling him up when he’s eight.

“So hopefully through June, July some stud, if they use their trams and trains (and) want a quick stallion, there’s none quicker than him.”

Celebrating his 59th birthday, Laing yesterday deflected credit to his staff for helping land a rare first-up win with Lord Of The Sky, a drifter from $13-$16.

“He’s never won first-up in his life until today,” he said.

“We’re a bit of a wrap for Christine Reeve, who’s been riding him up through the sand dunes and the new hill that’s been made at Cranbourne.

“We’ve been swimming him. It’s been a team effort.”