Only a long-head separated the speedy Bengalla Bay from the fast-finishing Deep Field colt King's Champ in the Star Kingdom Handicap at Muswellbrook on Monday, which denied Deep Field of having four winners from as many runners in the space of five days.
The Newgate Farm stallion (image below Mark Smith) has advanced his tally of winners to 10, one ahead of Coolmore Stud's Rubick, who are both chasing down the 15 winners by Lyndhurst Stud's Better Than Ready who has been the front runner all season.
With the majority of stud's now advertising the fees for 2019, breeder are facing significant increases in the top five stallions on the first season sire leaders board.
The current leader on the financial stallions list is the Darley-owned Sidestep (Exceed And Excel) who stands at Telemon Thoroughbreds and his fee has doubled from $11,000 to $22,000.
Better Than Ready (More Than Ready) goes from $9,900 to $33,000.
Brazen Beau (I Am Invincible) from $38500 to $49,500
Rubick (Encosta de Lago) from $17,600 to $38,500 (image below by Mark Smith)
Deep Field (Northern Meteor) from $22,000 to $44,000