Casino Seventeen Toughs it Out in Perth Cup

Mark Smith - Monday January 1

Short-priced favourite Casino Seventeen clung to a desperate short-half-head win over the fast-finishing Be Optimistic in the $1,000,000 Group II Tabtouch - Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on New Year’s Day.

A fourth Perth Cup for Willie Pike (image Perth Racing)

The 6-year-old son of Vinery Stud’s evergreen Casino Prince gave Grant An Alana Williams a 5th win in the feature and a fourth for Willie Pike.

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Settling worse than midfield and Zoumain set honest fractions Casino Seventeen was set to an all oyut drive in straightening. Hitting the front at the 300m, the son of Casino Prince was all out in holding the onrushing Blackfriars mare Be Optimistic with the 4-year-old Rich Enuff gelding Demolish two lengths back in third.

The six-year-old gelding advances his record to nine wins, eight seconds, and nine thirds from 35 starts with earnings of  $1,139,546.

“I kept getting shuffled back and losing my spot in the run, but I ended up getting a very good run from the 700m onwards,” Pike said.

“I pulled the trigger and got there way too early. I was lucky I had a good horse and trainers to back me up.

“This was always his target, a $1,000,000 race, and pulling it off was fantastic.”

Casino Seventeen was a $45,000 Magic Millions 2YO’s in Training purchase after selling for just $9,000 from the Widden Stud draft at Inglis Classic as a yearling.

Bred by Grant Briscoe, Casino Seventeen is the best of three winners from Denman mare Tikal, who comes from the family of multiple Group winner Ferragamo.

Tikal’s 2-year-old daughter Husk (Calyx) finished third behind Photographics when on debut at Warick Farm on December 20.

After foaling a Spirit Of Boom colt in September, Tikal was covered by Trapeze Artist.

The 20-year-old stallion Casino Prince just completed his 16th season at Vinery Stud, covering 44 mares at $5,500. 

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Race Result - Tabtouch - Perth Cup Gr2 2400m

Ascot Track: Good(4) Time: 2:29.12
1
Casino Seventeen
- 6g Casino Prince (AUS) x Tikal (AUS) (Denman (AUS))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: W Pike 53
Casino Prince
2
0
Be Optimistic
- 5m Blackfriars (AUS) x Mekie's Dream (AUS) (Pluck (USA))
Tnr: Luke Fernie Rdr: C Johnston-Porter 53
3
1.9
Demolish
- 4g Rich Enuff (AUS) x Magnus Missile (AUS) (Magnus (AUS))
Tnr: N D Parnham Rdr: Laqdar Ramoly 53
Rich Enuff
4
2.4
Numerian
- 8g Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) x Delicate Charm (IRE) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: B Parnham 59
5
3.7
Black Fantasy
- 5g Blackfriars (AUS) x Dreamalong (AUS) (Southern Image (USA))
Tnr: D & B Pearce Rdr: Lucy Fiore 53
6
5
Playhouse Patron
- 4g Patronize (AUS) x Playhouse Theatre (AUS) (Racer's Edge (AUS))
Tnr: R C McPherson Rdr: T Turner 53.5
7
5
Holy Enchantment
- 6g Playing God (AUS) x Majantic (AUS) (Mcflirt (NZ))
Tnr: S J Miller Rdr: Michael Poy 53
8
5.4
Toni's Spirit
- 5m Vert De Grece (IRE) x Persona (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Jordan Rolfe Rdr: P Carbery 53
9
5.6
Diamond Scene
- 4g So You Think (NZ) x Jewelled (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Ms D Riordan Rdr: S Parnham 53
10
7.1
Blazing Away
- 6g City Place (USA) x Malaika (AUS) (Fighting Falcon (USA))
Tnr: D R Harrison Rdr: Joseph Azzopardi 53
11
7.2
Queen Alina
- 5m Mahuta (AUS) x High Aims (AUS) (Southern Image (USA))
Tnr: D & B Pearce Rdr: Chris Parnham 53
12
11.8
Let'sdeal
- 5g Dundeel (NZ) x Tranquility Cove (USA) (Rock Hard Ten (USA))
Tnr: S J Wolfe Rdr: C Newitt 53
13
13.1
Neufbosc
- 9g Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Nonsuch Way (IRE) (Verglas (IRE))
Tnr: N D Parnham Rdr: J Brown 53
14
14.5
Zoumon
- 5g Zoustar (AUS) x Monblue (GB) (Monsun (GER))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Rachel King 58.5
15
15.8
Bad Wolf
- 9g So You Think (NZ) x Surpassing (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: A W Maley Rdr: Holly Watson 53
16
29.5
Truly Inspired
- 7g Dundeel (NZ) x Truly Special (AUS) (Jeune (GB))
Tnr: Ms D Riordan Rdr: J Whiting 53
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