Henny Hughes colt Star Contender signalled he has a huge future when cruising to a three length victory in the LR Cup and Saucer Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday.

The $250,000 Cup and Saucer Stakes (1700m) is the richest race on turf for Canadian bred two-year-olds.  Trainer Mark Casse had the race on the radar for Star Contender after the colt was placed in the LR Simcoe Stakes on debut last month.

Casse initially nominated five youngsters for the 76th running of the Cup And Saucer but relied on Star Contender after the colt won his maiden second-up at Woodbine.  “He’s just a big, beautiful horse,” assistant trainer Kathryn Sullivan said.  “He thinks he’s a star.  He goes out there in the morning and struts around the track.  He’s got such a big, beautiful stride.”

Star Contender (2c Henny Hughes – Sanibel Star by Unbridled’s Song) is from a daughter of G1 Woodbine Breeders’ Stakes winner Hangin On A Star (Vice Regent).  He was an $80,000 buy at the 2011 Ontario yearling sale for Casse and major client John Oxley.

Connections already have Spring in the Air (Spring At Last) heading to the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies next month after her G1 victory in the Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland earlier this month.

There was no immediate news whether Star Contender will join his stablemate at Santa Anita.  In any event, Henny Hughes has brilliant filly Beholder taking on the colts in the $500,000 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint.

Henny Hughes has gone to another level since transferring to Rangeview Stud earlier this year.  He is comfortably positioned in the Top 10 of the 2012 North American 2YO sires’ premiership with 16 winners and over $887,000 in earnings.

Henny Hughes (Hennessy) stands at Rangeview for a $7,700 (inc gst) service fee.  Broodmare owners can contact Robert Gray on 0409 243 461 or Jody Gray on 0418 933 707 for further information.

– Karl Patterson

STAR CONTENDER
Latest stakes winner for Henny Hughes