We have been effusive in our praise for the no thrills Casino Prince mare Sweet Deal who put a stamp on her career with a typically spirited performance in Saturday’s $1million The Hunter at Newcastle.
With regular partner Nash Rawiller in the saddle, Sweet Deal banked the $580,000 winners cheque with a length win over the 5yo Demeritt gelding Special Reward with the same distance back to Godolphin’s 4yo Medaglia d’Oro mare Asiago a fast-finishing third.
Born and raised at Edinglassie Stud, Sweet Deal advances her record to ten seven two from 37 starts with earnings of $1,357,020.
Winning trainer John Thompson said the 6yo daughter of Casino Prince was nearly retired to the broodmare barn.
“Thank god she’s here as the owners were talking about retiring her last year, so I’m glad we went another 12 months,” Thompson said.
“She runs well for Nash, that’s the way to ride her, she relaxes with cover and attacks the line. She is a lovely mare and will be back for one last hoorah in the autumn.”
Rawiller said Sweet Deal has a special place in his heart.
“She is a horse I’ve always had a lot of confidence in, I’ve done some crazy things on her because she can get you out of trouble. She is a little bulldog,” Rawiller said.
“She has been in great form, just hasn’t had a lot of luck, full credit to the owners, they were adamant to ride her with a sit today.
“To be honest, it’s probably one of the first times we’ve found a race where we have been able to ride her like that, let her stalk and we know how brilliant she is when she can do that.
“It was great to see her bounce back like that, she is already a Group Three winner here and to come out and win a million-dollar race is exciting, especially to do it on her.”
Purchased by Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) for $67,500 out of the Lincoln Farm draft at the 2016 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Sweet Deal is the best of two winners from as many to race out of the Sydney winning Royal Academy mare Dorothy Evelyn.
Hailing from the family of Group 1 West Australian Derby winner Chipolata, Dorothy Evelyn was pensioned in 2018 after producing a full-brother to Sweet Deal.
A 3-time Group III winner, Sweet Deal is one of 19 stakes-winners for Vinery Studs stalwart Casino Prince who stands alongside his son All Too Hard at a fee of $5,500.
