Hawkes paid $150,000 for Binding as an Easter yearling last year.
Belong To Me colt Binding confirmed his potential with a stunning last-to-first success in the Sandown Guineas (Aust-II) Nov 13.Binding comes from the second Australian crop by the Lane's End Farm-rostered stallion. The 15-year-old has shuttled from Kentucky to Widden Stud, New South Wales since 1998 (but missed 1999). Victoria Oaks (Aust-I) heroine Bulla Borghese sprang from his first generation, also the speedy stakes winner Before Too Long.Jockey Corey Brown described Binding's win in the $200,000 (Australian funds) event for 3-year-olds as "simply sensational. He was not travelling well in the heavy ground, but [in the stretch he grabbed the bit quickly and had them covered 100 meters out."The 11-8 favorite made it three wins from four starts in winning by three-quarters of a length from graded winners Barely a Moment and Al Maher. A nose separated the colts by Gilded Time and Danehill.The least experienced of 13 runners provided the third success for John Hawkes in the 1,600 meters Guineas, and the first for owner Nick Moriatis, who raced champion Might and Power (by Zabeel).Bred by Queensland farm Windemere, Binding is the ninth foal from Open Question, an unraced daghter of Alleged and Delaware Oaks (gr.II) winner Lady Eleanor. Her first was 1,000 Guineas and Victoria Oaks (both Aust-I) winner Arborea, by Imperial Prince.