Trainer John Blacker has bragging rights as Tasmania’s Cups King after Super Swoop won the Sydeston Cup (2100m) at Mowbray on Sunday.
The Casino Prince war-horse was allowed to find his feet by Sigrid Carr but was immediately under the pump when pressure was applied up front passing the 600m. When they fanned into the straight, Carr saved ground on the fence and only had to go around the two leaders before holding out Assaranca (Nicconi).
“That’s back-to-back wins and it’s terrific to see him running so well,” Blacker said. “What a good horse he’s been to his owners and thanks to Siggy for a great ride.”
Blacker completed a hat-trick of hometown Longford Cup wins with Super Swoop last year and the Sydeston Cup is the latest silverware to squeeze into his trophy cabinet this season following Longford, Devonport and Summer Cups with Swoop Dog (Husson) and a Brighton Cup with his classy mare Glass Warrior (Glass Harmonium)
Super Swoop will now be set for the $300,000 Launceston Cup (Gr.3, 2400m) on February 22. He was sold by Mill Park for $150,000 at the 2016 Adelaide Magic Millions and he has more than doubled that since crossing Bass Strait. Bred by Harry Perks from Carolina Bella (Zabeel), he’s an older half-brother to Mickey Blue Eyes (Medaglia D’Oro) who won the 2018 ATC Dulcify Quality (LR, 1600m) at Randwick for Lindsay Park
Casino Prince is going as good as ever at Vinery in 2023 with 14 individual winners in the last month. Top of the dial in that demographic has been Cuban Royale in the Carrington Stakes (LR, 1200m) at Randwick.
Dr Evil added his name to the Randwick tally in the Midway Hcp (1600m) on Saturday but it’s harder keeping count of the Vinery sire’s Midway winners this season since Oakfield Arrow scored at Rosehill in August.
Raced by Warwick Farm trainer John Steinmetz and his wife Alison, Dr Evil lives up to his name around the stable but has more than paid his way after making a mere $4,400 at the 2018 Scone Yearling Sale. “He will bite and charge but we still knocked back a good offer for him from Queensland,” Steinmetz said. “He had been a frustrating horse early on with lots of placings but has now won 6 races and over $261,000 in prizemoney.”
Dr Evil’s Randwick-winning dam Rasay Mist (Nediym) has a Charge Forward colt (Lot 632) entered by Miranda Park (as agent) for the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale in March.
Vinery (as agent) has entered the sole Casino Prince yearling (Lot 342) for the Inglis Classic Sale starting this Sunday. His colt’s dam Contango Miss (Congrats) is a half-sister to 2014 Queen Of The South Stakes winner Tango’s Daughter (Redoute’s Choice).
