Astute trainer Robert Heathcote will have a strong hand for the Brisbane Winter Carnival with two of his stable stars Prince of Boom and Rothfire filling the quinella in the $160,000 Listed BRC Ascot Stakes (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Both were first up from a spell with four year-old Spirit of Boom gelding Prince of Boom turning in a brilliant display to power clear and win by three lengths in a slick 56.92 seconds.
A Group winner at two and three, Prince of Boom looks primed for another successful campaign and can build on his already impressive record of six wins from 13 starts with prizemoney topping $760,000.
A modest $20,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale purchase for Adrenaline Thoroughbreds from the Eureka Stud draft, Prince of Boom is a three-quarter brother-in-blood to stakes-winner Simply Fly from Dazzling Display.
From the family of triple Group I winning Caulfield Cup hero Incentivise, Dazzling Display was one of 182 mares covered last spring by Spirit of Boom.