There’s no better combination in Melbourne than Darren Weir and Damian Lane and they were seen to advantage again with Won Ball at Sandown on Wednesday.

Won Ball careered away to win a Geelong maiden by four lengths earlier this month and the form out of the race stood up when he doubled up in the Polytrack Hcp (1000m).

“He’s still new but very smart,” Lane said after another convincing victory on the Hillside circuit.  “He was a bit keen in the early stages outside the leader (Falling Waters) and is still learning how to put them away properly.

“There’s plenty of upside and a fair deal of improvement to come.”

Won Ball, a 3yo colt by Vinery sire Casino Prince, was purchased by Weir’s bloodstock advisor John Foote at the 2016 Adelaide Magic Millions.  He was knocked down for $40,000 out of the Little Hills Pastoral consignment from Yorke Peninsula.

Little Hills owners Geoff and Christine Tucker bred him from Military Gal (General Nediym) who won at Warwick Farm, Rosehill and Randwick for John O’Shea.  The Tuckers also bred and sold Morphettville winner Harlem Child, a filly by Vinery sire Pluck (USA), at the 2015 Adelaide Magic Millions.

Won Ball is one of several up-and-coming winners this month by Casino Prince (Flying Spur).  Hobartville Stud’s homebred 3yo filly Fifth Affair was very impressive at Hawkesbury last week and, over in Perth, budding stayer Jackpot Prince can win again at Ascot this Saturday.

Casino Prince’s unraced 2yo filly Baccarat Baby won a Sunshine Coast trial for David Vandyke on Tuesday while his 7yo mare One For Later, a longshot winner last time at Flemington, has been nominated for Moonee Valley and Caulfield this weekend.

And the Casino Prince colt, catalogued as Lot 362 for the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, received an update last Thursday when his older half-brother Kaptive Hero won again at Pakenham for part-owner and trainer Robbie Griffiths.

WON BALL