The Sunshine Coast Guineas has launched the careers of three Group 1 winners since 2015 and Baccarat Baby could make it four when she returns from a spell in the spring.
The Casino Prince filly closed the Queensland winter carnival with the easiest of wins in the Group 3 over 1600m on Saturday. Despite being trapped on a limb without cover, she he joinedWinx, The Bostonian and Tivaci on the race's honour-roll and left David Vandyke searching for superlatives.
"I've trained better horses butnone tougher than Baccarat Baby," Vandyke claimed. "I'm so proud of her. She just keeps getting better and better. I was ready to sell out when she was caught three-wide but you can never underestimate this filly.
"She was going for a spell after that hard run in theTatt's Tiara last Saturday but pulled up so well I decided we should go again. She tells me when she's ready to race and she was ready to roll today.
"We ran her in the Flight Stakes at Randwick last year and she wasn't disgraced. This time, we will have a look at Sydney and Melbourne."
Vandyke will be hoping for a wet spring down south after Baccarat Baby waltzed away from Junipal (Reset) and Zavance (Mossman) on a Heavy 10. Group 1 goals for a female miler this spring go right through to the Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington in November.
Baccarat Baby (3f Casino Prince –Meerlust by Johannesburg) is a homebred for Peter Harris and Matthew Irwin. She's a direct descendant of North American champion Fanfreluche(Northern Dancer) who is also third dam of Casino Prince's sire Flying Spur.
A Group 1 update and a double-cross to a blue-hen mare will put Baccarat Baby in the blue-chip department when she eventually retires to stud.
It also confirms Casino Prince as the go-to sire for broodmare owners looking for value in the Hunter Valley.
He stands for a $6,600 service fee at Vinery Stud with More Than Ready ($55,000), All Too Hard ($27,500), Star Turn ($22,000), Headwater ($16,500), Press Statement ($16,500) & Pluck ($6,600). All fees include GST.
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