First foal arrives..

A filly by Raise The Flag from Cherry Creek is the first foal of the season at White Robe Lodge. The filly arrived at 12.30 am on Thursday, August 28, under the watch of staff member, Michelle Shields.

"Cherry Creek has foaled 11 months to the day after being served,'' said Wayne Stewart, the stud manager.

Cherry Creek, owned by Brian and Lorraine Anderton, won the listed Canterbury Belle Stakes in 2007 and seven other races. Her first foal Coulee (by Gallant Guru) won jump-outs as a 2yr-old last season. Her second foal, a colt by WR sire, Raise The Flag, was sold for  $57,500 at the NZ Bloodstock  select yearling sale in February.

"We left her empty in 2012 to serve her early the next year and this filly is the result,'' said Stewart.

There will be 80 to 90 foals born at White Robe this season and some 150 mares served by the Raise The Flag, Gallant Guru or Danzighill.

"The paddocks for the mares and foals have been shut up over the winter with the stock at Middlemarch. There is a good flush of grass providing ideal conditions for mares and foals in the sheltered paddocks.''

Long time employee Liz Hodson will again be on night watch in the foaling paddock. Mares close to foaling are fitted with alarms which alert staff if they lie down, giving indication of foaling.

 The stock of the deceased WR sire, Yamanin Vital continue to feature.  Georgey Aeroplane, the 7yr-old Yamanin Vital - Nancy Wake gelding, bred by Brian and Lorraine Anderton, won an $A85,000 rating 80  2400m race at Rosehill on Saturday.