3 minute read

Bandersnatch scores a dominant victory in the Carrington Stakes at Randwick under Tommy Berry

The talented Bandersnatch (4 g ex Divine Faith, by Falbrav) scored a strong victory under premiership leading jockey Tommy Berry to take out Saturday's Carrington Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Randwick and in doing so gave his Vinery Stud-based sire Casino Prince (Flying Spur) his 20th stakes winner. 

Bandersnatch joined the Hawkes yard at the start of his current campaign and after kicking off with a Moonee Valley win, he followed up with two minor placings.

Hawkes said the four-year-old's record for them should read even better.

"He's done a fantastic job. He's had four runs and to be truthful, they probably should have been four wins," Hawkes said.

"It (Carrington) wasn't the strongest stakes race of all time but it's here and it's about putting horses in races where they're suited.

"It was a perfect race for this horse with no weight."

Berry put Bandersnatch in a trailing position and once he levelled up with Quackerjack (Not A Single Doubt), who had raced to the front, the gelding put paid to his rival to score by three quarters of a length.

Thy Kingdom Come (Lope De Vega) did his best work late another half length away.

Hawkes was unsure of immediate plans for Bandersnatch but said they might try to find another similar race for him while he was fit and in form.

However, he believes the horse's best is still ahead.

"Even next prep, now that we've had a prep with him, you will see a better horse again," Hawkes said.

"He's a happy horse. He is a lovely horse to have around the stable, he is quiet, he's good and he's only getting better.

"We might just try to find another race while he's fit."

Bandersnatch was purchased at the 2018 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale by his former trainer Gerald Ryan for $42,000 from the Amarina Farm draft.