Gerald Ryan prepared a second Vinery-sired winner in as many weeks when Bandersnatch blew his rivals away at Randwick on Friday.
The Casino Prince 3yo had to work hard to hold the lead in the Yulong Australia Hcp (1400m) but was always travelling like a winner for Brenton Avdulla to score by three lengths from Twentyfour Carat (I Am Invincible) and Plenty (Zoustar).
Avdulla had time to look at the infield screen for any late closers but they were panels adrift of the winner who was coming off an even easier first-up victory at Hawkesbury last month. “I really liked him on type at last year’s Classic Sale and got him for $42,000,” Ryan recalled. “He’s always had ability but just needed time to mature.
“Brenton hadn’t been on him before Hawkesbury and he’s keen to stay aboard. We will give him one more run at Randwick on Saturday, December 28 and then tip him out for a spell.”
Ryan has black-type plans for Bandersnatch next year. The $200,000 Hawkesbury Guineas LR on Anzac Day is the first goal followed by the $200,000 Inglis Guineas RL at Scone on May 16.
The Brisbane winter carnival is also on the drawing board with the Sunshine Coast Guineas LR an option on June 27. Casino Prince filly Baccarat Baby won it this year.
Bandersnatch is the penultimate foal from Divine Faith (Falbrav) who is an unraced half-sister to the dam of Testa Rossa Stakes performer Flying Tessie.
Ryan has been firing with a 20% winning strike-rate out of his stables this season. He also prepares All Too Hard 3yo filly Saas Fee who won first-up at Warwick Farm last month.
Saas Fee is an older sister to this season’s Maribyrnong Plate Gr.3 winner Hard Landing and she has accepted for Rosehill this Wednesday.
Casino Prince is also banking on a good result this Wednesday. He’s currently on 1299 career wins and can reach another milestone if any of the following salute: Fudged (Sandown), Charmed Princess (Rosehill), Coffee Amour (Murray Bridge) or Break Record (Happy Valley).
