There were a few hard luck stories in Saturday’s Group III Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick but not so for John Thompson’s bonny mare Sweet Deal.
Connections of the runner-up Zaniah and third placed Seasons were left to rue what might have been after James McDonald guided the 6yo daughter of Casino Prince to a nose victory over Zaniah (Zoustar) with Seasons (Sebring) a half-neck back in third.
It was the third Group III for Sweet Deal following wins in the 2019 NJC Tibbie Stakes and ATC Triscay Stakes in February.
John Thomson said he was expecting a forward showing at her first start in over four months.
“The last seven days she has really come on. She galloped here on Tuesday and worked very well in what we called a winning gallop”, Thompson said.
“We were quietly confident, but we thought the 1100m might have been a bit short. As it turned out it was nearly a little bit too long.
“I was worried about the big weight as well, but Les Bridge said to me this morning that good mares win these races and she is a good mare.
“There are some nice mare races coming up and her next will be a set weight with penalties so she will probably meet some of these mares better off at the weights. She is going well and is in for a good prep.”
Purchased by Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) for $67,500 out of the Lincoln Farm draft at the 2016 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Sweet Deal advances her record to 9 wins, 6 seconds and 2 thirds from 33 starts with earnings of $759,620.
She is the best of two winners from as many to race out of the Sydney winning Royal Academy mare Dorothy Evelyn, who hails 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.
Sweet Deal is one of 19 stakes-winners for Vinery Stud's stalwart Casino Prince who stands alongside his son All Too Hard at a fee of $5,500.
