First black-type winner by Universal Prince

Newton Prince notched the first black-type win for former Scenic Lodge sire Universal Prince at Ascot on Saturday.

The Dan Pearce trained gelding appreciated the quick tempo set by tearaway leader Heart Show in the LR Aquanita Stakes (1800m).  Ridden a patient race by Jarrad Noske, he was more than a dozen lengths in arrears at one stage before cruising to the front at the top of the straight.

Newton Prince (3g Universal Prince – Newton Bewley by Blackfriars) kept finding in the final furlong to deny the favourite Balmont Girl by a half-length.  “It was a true staying test and he will stay all day,” Pearce said.  “We will tip him out now and come back for the WA Derby in April.”

Newton Prince is a homebred for Scenic Lodge owners David and Jeremy Smith and is from the immediate family of G3 Belmont Sprint winner Universal Ruler (Scenic) who stands alongside champion sire Blackfriars at Scenic Lodge.

“I told Jeremy a short summer preparation would help going forward to the Derby,” Pearce claimed.  “He won his maiden then added a Saturday race and now he’s stepped up to stakes company.  It’s worked out exactly how we planned.”

Universal Prince (Scenic) was a Group 1 winner of the AJC Derby, AJC Spring Champion Stakes, STC Canterbury Guineas and STC Ranvet Stakes.  He was initially based at Inverness Stud in NSW before transferring west to Scenic Lodge.

Universal Prince is now standing with Sue Nolan at Murray Bridge.  She is a sister-in-law of Terry Hogan who raced Universal Prince with trainer Bede Murray.

Newton Prince has an unraced 2yo half-brother by Hurricane Sky named Veritasium.