Vinery claimed home-town honours when the Hunter Valley heavyweights squared off at Scone on Saturday.
Excites gelding Black Jag opened the card with a fitting, front-running victory in the Vinery Stud Hcp (2200m) before his Vinery associates Casino Prince and Testa Rossa doubled up in feature races at White Park.
Mighty Lucky (Casino Prince) broke through at black-type level in the LR Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) at White Park. His connections then had to front a stewards’ enquiry to survive a protest from runner-up Haussmann.
“He’s a good sort who loves a fight,” trainer Fred Cowell said. “And the Casino Princes are a gun breed.”
Mighty Lucky is the sixth stakes winner by Casino Prince and he’s also been represented by another six stakes placed horses this season including G1 Australian Derby third Hooked.
Casino Prince started the Scone carnival with Country Cup winner Timeless Prince on Friday. He stands for a $16,500 (inc gst) service fee at Vinery alongside his champion son All Too Hard.
Testarhythm (Testa Rossa) was another appropriate winner at Scone in the LR Ortensia Stakes (1100m). The lightly-raced gelding scored by a length first-up in the race named after Testa Rossa’s Group 1 winning mare.
“He trialled well and it’s good to see him still winning,” trainer Darren Smith said. “He’s probably getting closer to retirement but the owners will enjoy this.”
It was Testarhythm’s second Listed win following last year’s Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford. His sire starred at last year’s carnival with Fontelina (Luskin Star Stakes) and Speediness (Scone Cup).
Testa Rossa is available for a $27,500 (inc gst) service fee at Vinery this year.
