Leading owner-breeder Ian Bell celebrated a successful start to the season in the Darwin Cup and the winning run will continue with his Bianconi mare Cannes Coni.

Bell bred and part-owns former Victorian gelding Saturday Sorcerer who scored a career-high victory in the $200,000 Darwin Cup on August 4.

Racegoers had to brave much colder conditions at Geelong on Sunday but Cannes Coni had her connections glowing after an unlucky second on debut over 1100 metres.  “She was caught wide and then had to push forward,” trainer Andrew Dillon declared.  “She was entitled to drop out in the straight but was only beaten a short-neck.”

Dillon prepares Cannes Coni for Bell and his wife Vicki who race under the Campolina Pty Ltd banner.  “She’s a big mare and took time to mature.  There’s plenty of upside and, on that effort, will be winning races.”

Cannes Coni (4m Bianconi – Cannes Resort by Scenic) hails from the family of G1 Blue Diamond winner Undoubtedly and she has a yearling half-sister by former Ridgeview Park sire Illustrious Blue.

Bianconi (Danzig) is gearing up for his first season at Ridgeview Park in Muskerry East and studmaster Phil Sloane is offering a two-for-one rate for bookings made in August.

Broodmare owners can send two mares to Bianconi for $5,500 (inc gst) this month.  A single booking has been discounted $3,300 (inc gst).

Ridgeview Park is advertising a similar deal for its Redoute’s Choice sire Dr Doute’s.  The Flemington Group 3 winner has his first two year-olds ready to race this season and broodmare owners can take advantage of a $4,400 (inc gst) two-for-one offer in August.

A single booking to Dr Doute’s has been discounted to $2,750 (inc gst).

Breeders can contact Phil and Fiona Sloane for more information on (03) 5433 6306 or 0488 525063.