Just one stakes race anywhere in Australia on Saturday, the Listed Carrington Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, fell to a horse making his black-type debut.
The Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes-trained Bandersnatch has been a model of consistency through a 16-start career.
With Tommy Berry in the saddle, the 4yo son of Casino Prince made his 5kg pull in the weights count over a gallant Quackerjack (Not A Single Doubt) to win by three-quarters of a length with Thy Kingdom Come (Lope de Vega) a half-length back in third.
In four starts for the Hawkes stable, Bandersnatch added his first stakes success to a win at Moonee Valley, a second at Randwick and third at Flemington.
On the eve of the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Bandersnatch has been a poster boy having been purchased by Geral Ryan for $42,000 out of the Amarina Stud draft at the 2018 Classic Yearling Sale.
He advances his overall record to six wins, three one from 16 starts with earnings of $397,430.
"He has had a great prep. He is only a new addition to our stable," Michael Hawkes said.
"He won brilliantly first-up at the Valley, was a bit stiff at his second start, and even last start here he wanted to lay in for a stride, which probably cost him the race.
"If he had the luck he could have come here three for three. Tommy gave him a great ride."
Bandersnatch is the best of three winners from five to race out of the unraced Falbrav mare Divine Faith who is a half-sister to stakes-placed Arrowsweep (End Sweep).
Divine Faith's dam Amaranth (USA) (Flying Paster) is a half-sister to the dam of the former Arrowfield Stud shuttler Unbridled's Song (USA), a leading stallion in North America.
Divine Faith has a filly foal by Charge Forward and was covered by Brutal last spring.
Bandersnatch becomes the 20th stakes-winner for Vinery Stud's evergreen Casino Prince who had something of a resurgence in 2020 covering 90 mares at a fee of $5,500.
