Jokers Grin stormed home in the Selangor Trophy (1000m) at Ascot on Saturday in what was a sign of things to come for trainer Bernie Miller and stable jockey Pat Carberry.

The lightly-raced 4yo son of Alwyn Park stallion Maschino was rated a star of the future after completing a hat-trick during the Belmont winter season and Saturday’s first-up victory only served to emphasise he’s a black-type winner in waiting.

“He’s an exciting horse and it’s beautiful to see him deliver again,” Miller said.  “He has a great turn of foot but we still don’t know how many gears he’s got.  Pat hasn’t let the hand-brake off yet!”

Jokers Grin settled well back in the field behind Hang Glider (Flying Artie) and was still spotting the leader six lengths on the corner.  “This was his first start here and he was a bit edgy in the gates,” Carberry confirmed.  “He relaxed off a solid pace and really knuckled down in the straight.

“He’s still maturing.  He’s out of 3yo company now and was up against horses who have been to war 30 times and more.  We’re hoping he can go through the classes this prep and learn how to cope with pressure.”

For that reason, Miller didn’t nominate Jokers Grin for the G1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) purposefully leaving his black-type debut until New Year’s Day in the LR Summer Scorcher (1000m).

Jokers Grin is a homebred for former Yarradale Stud manager Mark Jones and Stoneville-based David Gatti.  He’s a younger full-brother to Cup Night who was the first black-type winner by Maschino in the LR Raconteur Stakes (1500m) of 2019.

Their dam Walk In Beauty (Barely A Moment) was prepared by Miller and was retired after winning two in a row at Bunbury in February 2013.  Her 2yo is an unraced Snippetson filly named Another Beauty and she foaled a Maschino filly in August.

Fellow Maschino 4yo Crippalenko was on a hat-trick at Ascot on Saturday but had to be content with a black-type placing behind Bravo Centurion (National Defense) in the G3 Prince of Wales Stakes (1000m).

Other Maschino winners in October included Charino (Max Simmonds Stakes) and Leathal Weapon who firmed from $11 into $5 to land a Northam maiden for trainer Dan Morton.

Maschino (Encosta De Lago) stands for an $8,800 (inc GST) fee at Alwyn Park.  Studmaster John Andrew can be contacted for bookings or further information on 0419 929 483.