MARK Kay is up to his ears in
axle grease and engine oil - and he's never been happier.
In one sense, the sole purpose of these works is to "house" grease: thick, brown-black, automotive
axle grease that has a tendency to migrate and contaminate everything in its wake.
Axle Grease was similarly twice a finalist in the Irish Oaks, scoring at the second time of asking in 2003.
Residents in blocks of flats in School Drive and School Avenue in the Seaton area of Aberdeen have resorted to putting
axle grease on their drainpipes.
Ironically, it was Ireland where Johnson first came to prominence through the exploits of One Yard, who finished third to
Axle Grease in the 2003 Irish Oaks, before his involvement in the high-profile purchase of Hee Haws Barney by Terry and Jason Dawkins in 2005 ensured his name remained in the public eye.
There are as many engineering applications as there are new ideas, and the definition extends from working with
axle grease to silicon chip technology.
Granddam Fees Chance, a prolific dam of such winners as
Axle Grease (Irish Oaks) and Lodgeview Chance (Midland Gold Cup), both by Top Honcho, was half-sister to Some Picture (Slaneyside Hare-Spring Season), hero of the 1997 English Derby and sixth in the Irish version.
The EastEnder who plays mechanic Phil Mitchell, may have a Cockney accent as thick as a tub of
axle grease, but he's half Scots and proud of it.
A son of Spiral Nikita and Oaks heroine
Axle Grease, Royal Warrior has brilliant early pace and, being inside Gas Magee, he could grab the decisive advantage around the opening bend.
Top Honcho has also met with success in the Irish Oaks courtesy of the 2003 winner
Axle Grease, and his burgeoning reputation as a brood sire received a further boost in this renewal, as his daughter Aughavas threw Ms Firecracker in her first litter.
However, as a granddaughter of Spring Season she comes from a hugely influential family and is half-sister to
Axle Grease (Irish Oaks) and other 'black type' earners.
The successful cross via Top Savings proved even more effective when Top Honcho was mated with Fees Chance to produce a litter that included
Axle Grease (Irish Oaks), Lodgeview Chance (Midland Gold Cup), Farloe Bond (Lifford Champion Stakes) and the Pall Mall/All England Cup finalist Farloe Forty.