After 18 years Mike decided he would take on Australian Racing, moving to Morphettville in 1999. Mike spent two and a half years in Adelaide before moving to his well appointed Flemington base.
Mike quickly forged his way to the top of the Victorian scene, the proof is among his host of achievements including 55 Group One wins, two New Zealand training premierships with a top five finish on 16 occasions and the acclaimed Fred Hoysted Award for training excellence in Victoria at only his third full season in the state.
Michael numbers victories at all ends of the Group One spectrum, two-year-olds in the Blue Diamond Stakes, Ford Diamond Stakes (twice) and Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, classic three-year-olds in the New Zealand Derby (three times), New Zealand 1000 Guineas, New Zealand 2000 Guineas, New Zealand Oaks, Victorian Oaks, South Australian Oaks, Queensland Oaks, VATC 1000 Guineas, Spring Champion Stakes and Victoria Derby (twice), top sprinters in the Newmarket, Railway and Telegraph Handicaps and high class stayers in the Melbourne and Wellington Cups.
