Hero Time became Mint Lane's first Hong Kong winner on the 7th of March, , while Willi Willi became his first stakes-winner after capturing the Listed Albury Gold Cup on March 23.
Ridden by Nash Rawiller, the promising 3YO finished strongly to score by a widening 1.6 lengths over 1200m at Happy Valley.
Friday night racing at Moonee Valley on the 16th
March provided a perfect location for two Mint Lane mares, Our Gladiator
and Another Diamond to show off their talents in the 955m Challenge.
With Another Diamond leading into the straight, it took a top effort from Our Gladiator to catch Another Diamond late, giving Mint Lane the quinella.
Both mares were bred by Willow Grove Stud and sold at the Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sales.
Willi Willi became Mint Lane's first stakes-winner on the 23rd of March, scoring in the $180,000 Albury Gold Cup over 2000m. The talented 4YO, already a winner at Flemington, took his record to 5 wins, 1 second from only 12 starts and $340,000 in prizemoney.
Mint Lane also had a good support crew of local winners in the last few weeks, including Shall We Hope, Irish Mint, Whistling Mikado, Mint Collector and Aussie Bob.
Mint Lane, this season is also the sire of talented 3YO winners in Singapore – Come And Take All and Master Miner.
With only 76 progeny to race, Mint Lane has produced an impressive strike rate of 60% winners to runners with earnings approaching $3 million.
Mint Lane's female pedigree has also taken some huge leaps in recent times with three of his half-sisters all producing Group 1 horses in the USA.
Bowie's Hero (by Artie Schiller) 6 wins including Santa Anita Kilroe Mile Gr1 and Mathis Brothers Mile Gr2
Sharp Azteca (Freud) 8 wins including Aqueduct Cigar Mile Gr1, Gulfstream Park Hcp Gr2 Belmont Kelso Stakes Gr2, Two Gr3's and second in 3 Gr1's $2.3 million.
Firing Line (Line of David) Sunland Derby Gr3, and second to American Pharoah in the Kentucky Derby Gr1 and 2nd Futurity Stakes Gr1 etc.
These elite level horses are regarded as some of the best milers to race in the US in recent times – all out of three different half sisters to Mint Lane- two of them unraced. It's no surprise to see Mint Lane producing some talented offspring, (from his limited opportunities), with probably an elite galloper to come.
Mint Lane stands at Willow Grove Stud, Woodside, SA. 2018 fee $3300 inc GST
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