But the performance which would have had him reaching for the champagne flutes was Ric O'Shea's dazzling run for second in the open sprint at Winton.
The O'Reilly gelding had already indicated he was forward in his campaign with a front-running win at the Wingatui trials in late September, and jockey Courtney Barnes saved every centimetre at Winton allowing him to gallop freely in the final 200m and run the winner, Conscious Mistake, to within three-quarters of a length.
However, a start in the Coupland's Mile is no sure thing, Prince warned earlier this week.
He will discuss Ric O'Shea's options with owner-breeder Andy Denham in the coming days to work out where to go next.
''He's still in the Coupland's, but he's not locked into that,'' Prince said.
''If I get my way, my plan would be to miss the Coupland's and run on the last day [of the Riccarton carnival on November 16] in the open 1400m.''
Prince's long-term plan includes a possible raid on the group 1 Captain Cook Stakes over 1600m at Trentham on September 7, which is why he will be choosing his jockey wisely in the $40,000 race at Riccarton.
''I would try and get a good jockey up there on the last day to get a good line on him.
''He's a good traveller, but he just likes his races spaced a wee bit. I've got to the end of October to pull him out anyway.''
Pinot Express unwound in style for Barnes after getting well back in the rating 75 1400m to record her sixth career win from 40 starts and her second win since joining Prince's stables last year.
''I said to Courtney, 'You've got to remember she's first up over 1400m' but she's very good fresh.''
Prince is unsure where he will go next with the daughter of Don Eduardo, who gained eight rating points to move up to a rating of 80.
Hell Raiser debuted with a eye-catching fourth on Sunday, and Prince described her as ''very green''.
''She lost two or three lengths on the corner, but that's just greenness.''
Prince is pretty excited about The Lion Queen whom he had to put aside in July due to shin soreness.
''She'll trial on October 20 and we'll look for a race for her in November.
''We'll just see how she trials up - she's pretty smart. We'll drop her into a maiden somewhere.''
