Strength of pedigree always shines through and such is the case with Mint Lane (USA) - the only son of outstanding stallion Maria's Mon standing in Australia.
Calling Willow Grove Stud,
South Australia his home, the Group 2 winner is proving a reliable source of
winners and looks to have an extra smart one in the shape of Willi Willi.
An impressive Sandown maiden winner in late April, the Craig Widdison trained Silver Bowl Series Final bound three-year-old contested a strong 1400m heat at Bendigo last week.
Sent out favourite on the back of a most unlucky run (held up for much of the straight) at Sandown, Willi Willi did not have the best of runs from a tricky gate but jockey Craig Williams was happy to let him find his feet.
As the leader Toorak Cowboy kicked clear in the run home, Willi Willi began to chase and what heart he showed - really knuckling down over the final stages and putting his nose out right where it counted.
"I was always confident over that last 100m that he was going to get there," reported jockey Craig Williams.
Describing Willi Willi as "a lovely horse to work with," Williams said that "he is a work in progress but I am very confident in his ability."
"He didn't have any favours in the run but he was solid late and the way he raced today warrants him a crack at the final over a mile."
Also looking the goods is another lightly raced three-year-old in Our Gladiator who was a dominant on pace winner at Echuca on Monday, working early off a wide gate but sprinting clear over the final stages.
Clever Tommy is another in-form Mint Lane, successful by wide margins at each of his last three starts whilst the likes of Hazy Lane (six times winner of over $178,000), triple Morphettville winner Mullinger Lane, fellow Morphettville winner Irish Mint and Another Diamond (speedy Moonee Valley winner with earnings beyond $127,000) are amongst those proving their worth at metropolitan level.
Also in recent winning form are the tough and consistent gallopers Scenic Mint, Red Scimitar, Our Prospect, Mint Collector, Bwuva, Washerwoman, Saint Valentine, Amintire and Nippy Lippy.
Mint Lane's overall stats make for good reading with over 80% of his named foals making it to the track - 36 winners from just 62 runners; a winners-to-runners strike rate in excess of 58%.
Selling for $43,000 and $35,000, two Mint Lane colts were much admired at the Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale in March and at a fee of $2200 (incl gst) he is the ideal owner/breeder stallion.
One of 55 stakes winners sired by the triple Group One winning US Champion 2Y0 Colt Maria's Mon (sire of two Kentucky Derby winners), Mint Lane hails from a prolific black type family that has really been on fire in recent times.
In fact three of his sisters have been represented by stakes winners.
The Gr.1 placed Sister Girl Blues has produced the Gr.3 winner Firing Line who was second in American Pharoah's Kentucky Derby whilst the unraced So Sharp is dam of dual Group winner Sharp Aztec who was second at Group One level at his most recent outing at Belmont in mid-June.
Meanwhile Remembered is dam of the lightly raced and promising recent stakes winning three-year-old Bowies Hero.
Sharing the same fourth dam - the outstanding broodmare Kamar - as emerging young stallion Your Song (currently third on the first season sire chart ), Mint Lane hails from the same branch of the prolific Pretty Polly family as the big race winners Fantastic Light, Gorgeous, Music Show, Swift Temper, Seaside Attraction, Golden Attraction, Cape Town, Desert Lord, Alpha and Flashing.
Winning the Gr.2 Dwyer Stakes by 2 3/4 lengths, Mint Lane showed his rivals a clean pair of heels leading throughout - showing that same great pace when winning the Listed Postponed Handicap by a stunning 5 3/4 lengths.
His other two wins (from just 11 starts) were also by impressive margins - 6 3/4 lengths and 8 1/2 lengths!
"Mint Lane showed great dash at all of his runs and was able to sustain that speed to four big wins," Willow Grove's Ralph Satchell said, adding that it has been interesting to watch Mint Lane's progeny show that same speed and will to win.
For further information on Mint Lane who stands alongside Hussonet's consistent son Host, contact Ralph or Linda Satchell 08 8389 7084willowgr@cobweb.com.au
