Commands recorded his first Black type winner of the new year on 8 January, when his son First Command recorded his ninth career win in style, landing the 1200m LT Cleary Stakes at Caulfield.
First up from a break, the Lee Freedman-trained galloper sat outside the lead before issuing his challenge upon entering the straight. Carrying the top weight of 59 kilograms, the previous G2 winner clearly displayed his superiority, kicking away to hold off his rivals and win by a length.
Bred by Gerry Harvey, First Command is out of the winning Hurricane Sky mare River Serenade and is a three-quarter brother to the Hong Kong-based G2-winning, G1-performing One World.
Having sired more Stakes winners this season that any other stallion in the southern hemipshere, Commands is the sire of six G1 winners including Purple, Skilled and Erewhon. The Stakes-winning son of Danehill will be represented by 22 yearlings at the upcoming Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
