Hooked is well on the way to paying back a $600,000 price-tag for his new owners in Melbourne.

The classy Casino Prince stallion won the G2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley on Saturday in advance of a Group 1 assignment in the Emirates Stakes at Flemington on November 8.

Hooked (4h Casino Prince – Absolute Lure by Lure) was originally raced by Nathan Tinkler before selling to Ultra Thoroughbreds owner Sean Buckley at the Patinack Farm dispersal on October 1.  He has banked $173,000 since changing hands and the winner’s share of the Emirates is $605,000.

A Flemington Group 1 would send his value soaring as a stallion prospect.

Winning jockey Craig Williams gave trainer John Thompson all the credit after the on-pace victory at Moonee Valley.  “He wouldn’t have won a maiden on his work here on Tuesday morning,” Williams claimed.  “The idea was to just give him a look at the place.

“He was still on the wrong leg today so it was really good performance.  It was his first start on a left-handed track and he will keep improving down here.”

The G1 Railway Stakes in Perth on November 22 is also on the radar after the Melbourne spring carnival.  Thompson and Williams combined to win the 2010 Railway with Gathering.

Hooked had been placed in last year’s G1 Australian Derby (2400m) and claimed the G3 Cameron Hcp (1200m) in Newcastle earlier this season.  His dam Absolute Lure has also foaled Queensland stakes-performer Casino Card and she delivered another Casino Prince colt in September.

Casino Prince (Flying Spur) stands at Vinery for a $16,500 (inc gst) service fee.