With the field stretched across the track, Willie Pike launched down the centre of the track on the Perth Cup hero, Casino Seventeen, who came from third last at the 200m to claim the Group II Perth Racing Member Appreciation - Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at Ascot.
Trained by Grant and Alana Williams the 7-year-old son of Casino Prince was appearing for the first time in 21 weeks.
Casino Seventeen overpowered Bustler (Playing God) by a short neck, with Magnificent Andy (Magnus) a half-head back in third.
With his fourth stakes victory, Casino Seventeen advances his record to ten wins, nine seconds, and eleven thirds from 43 starts with earnings of $1,363,346.
“He is just an old warhorse,” Grant Williams said.
“He looks too round and is bouncing around like a 3-year-old. I told Willie to ride him like a $21 chance and take the gaps. He told me he had been unable to find a gap all day, so he was due to get one.
“I thought he was going to run home for a nice third or fourth.
“We are going to the Railway. He will get some weight, but where else do you go with these horses”
Jo Hardy purchased Casino Seventeen for just $9,000 from the draft of Widden Stud at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Consigned by Clare Park Thoroughbreds to the Magic Millions 2YO’s in Training Sale, the son of Vinery Stud stalwart Casino Prince was sold to Kennewell Racing for $45,000.
Bred by Grant Briscoe, Casino Seventeen is the best of five winners from as many to race for the Denman mare Tikal, a daughter of the stakes-placed Lanquin.
