With no More Than Ready (USA), Testa Rossa, or Mossman, Casino Prince assumes the role of elder statesman at Vinery Stud, and he takes it seriously enough to supply one of the most impressive winners on Vinery Stud Stakes Day at Rosehill.
The Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes-trained Bandersnatch inched closer to $1million in earnings and earned a ticket to next week's Group 1 Star Doncaster Mile with a two and a quarter lengths romp in the Racing And Sports Doncaster Prelude (1500m).
Ridden by Brenton Avdulla, the 6yo son of Casino Prince defeated Welwal (GB) (Shalaa), with Diamil (IRE) (Awtaad) a further half-length back in third.
With his fourth stakes success, Bandersnatch advances his record to ten wins, four seconds, and four thirds from 34 starts with earnings of $898,980.
Michael Hawkes said he was keen to back up next week.
"Brutal was our last Doncaster winner and drew an ordinary barrier; it takes a good horse to do it," Hawkes said.
"Bandersnatch, he's got a light-weight, he's an impressive horse, he's always been thereabouts. I think it's an even sort of race to a degree, and he just needs a decent run. And if it's a bit wet, he likes that too. The horse is flying, and honestly he's a good chance.
We've just tried placing him in the best possible races. Last start, he probably was the best thing beat of all time.
"He just takes his time to get across. Brenton rides this horse perfectly. I know a lot of people have had goes at him, but he just has an association that he gets the best out of him. He's just kicked and won well.
"This horse has just got better and better and better."
Purchased by Geral Ryan for $42,000 out of the Amarina Stud draft at the 2018 Classic Yearling Sale, Bandersnatch is the best of four winners from five to race out of the unraced Falbrav mare Divine Faith, a half-sister to stakes-placed Arrowsweep (End Sweep).
Divine Faith's dam Amaranth (USA) (Flying Paster) is a half-sister to the dam of the former Arrowfield Stud shuttler Unbridled's Song (USA), a leading stallion in North America.
Trilogy Racing / CB Bloodstock shelled out $140,000 for a Charge Forward filly from Divine Faith at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
She has been named Chrystal Method and in the Randwick stables of Peter and Paul Snowden.
After missing in 2020, Divine Faith foaled a brother to Bandersnatch last spring.
