Near Record Trial Has Prince On Track For Egg

TAB Million Dollar Chase winner Handsome Prince is back better than ever and on target for a crack at next month's Group 1 Golden Easter Egg.

That was the bold declaration made by his trainer Peter Lagogiane after the son of Sh Avatar trialled in near record fashion at Richmond on Thursday morning.

"He's an absolute rocket this dog – his couple of trials back have shown me he's only improved from last year," Lagogiane said.

Off the scene since November when finishing fourth in a heat of the Melbourne Cup when dislocating a toe in the run, Handsome Prince sizzled around Richmond over the 330 metres in 18.39, just a whisker outside the 18.36 record held by prolific winning sprinter Caviar Quality.

And while the 18.39 time on trial day was sensational, his 13.82 run home time was simply out of this world.

It was an effort that has the brindle flyer right on target for the $250,000-to-the-winner Golden Easter Egg which begins at Wentworth Park in late March.

“There's no doubt he's come back better than ever,” said Lagogiane.

“He's a lot stronger and I must say, he really looks the part now. You just know when these dogs are coming to their very top and that's where he's at now.”

Winner at nine of his 21 appearances, it was in October that Handsome Prince annexed the Million Dollar Chase for Lagogiane and owner Shakeel Latimer in breathtaking fashion.

Since that memorable performance the regally bred sprinter has raced on just the one occasion in a heat of the Melbourne Cup which followed a scintillating 29.14 trial at Sandown.

And while the Golden Easter Egg is the main target, no decision has been made as to whether he'll start prior to the kick off of the $250,000-to-the-winner series.

“He needs to get fitter and we will wait and see how he continues to come up before deciding on when and where he will race again,” Lagogiane said.

“It's a day by day plan for now. But this morning shows he's right where he needs to be.

"He's a fantastic race dog but runs freakish trial times as well. He's the whole package."

Meanwhile, litter brother Ava Wine pulled up sore after Saturday night's G1 Rookie Rebel and was pulled from the heats of the Australian Cup this weekend.

“The Richmond Derby is in mind and long term a race like the Galaxy over 700 metres in Perth is an option for him as well,” said Lagogiane.