Some weeks ago we highlighted several proven stallions that offered breeders real value in the Hunter Valley this spring and one of them has been making headlines this week.
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Casino Prince took the honours at Newcastle's two-day spring carnival when his mare Fine Bubbles won the G3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) on Thursday.
The Vinery sire's slick sprinter Hooked had grabbed a Group 3 in the Cameron Hcp (1200m) on Wednesday.
Fine Bubbles (5m Casino Prince - Pekalan by Sri Pekan) is raced by a syndicate that includes Sky Racing's Ron Dufficy and Thursday's black-type victory sent her residual value soaring.
The Kris Lees trained mare drew wide and started at $12 despite winning form on a recent trip to Brisbane. "I was lucky enough to lob one of the fence," winning jockey James McDonald said. "She jogged up to the leaders and then put them to the sword in the straight.
"She a super mare and does everything you ask. I guess racing on her home-track was an advantage but it was a push-button job today."
Fine Bubbles scored a clear-cut two length victory from I'm In The Money (Secret Savings) and stablemate Gold Epona (Stratum). Lees will consider sending her to Rosehill for another Group 3 in the Golden Pendant (1200m) on Saturday week, September 27.
Fine Bubbles is a daughter of LR Gosford Belle of the Turf Stakes winner Pekalan and cost $105,000 at the 2011 Gold Coast Magic Millions. The Tibbie prizemoney sent her earnings past $250,000 and there could be more to come in the $300,000 Gold Pendant.
Hooked faces a more uncertain future. He has been catalogued as Lot 795 during the Patinack Farm dispersal to be conducted by Magic Millions at the Gold Coast on October 1.
Casino Prince has now sired 8 stakes winners topped by Champion colt All Too Hard. He is standing at Vinery for a $16,500 (inc gst) service fee.
