Defending Perth Cup champion Casino Seventeen commenced the defence of his title in the best possible fashion, coming out on top of a driving finish to win the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
Under the guidance of champion rider William Pike, Casino Seventeen sliced through the field, running a sizzling 34:25 last 600-metre sectional to grab Group 1 winner Bustler in the shadows of the post and claim the weight-for-age feature.
Speaking to Racing WA following the victory, Pike admitted he was somewhat taken aback by the ability the seven-year-old has to keep turning out strong performances.
“He just keeps turning up, when they brought him back into work this time I said ‘gee isn’t he on his mark?’ Lucky I’m a jockey and not a trainer!”
The training expertise for Casino Seventeen rests with husband-and-wife partnership Grant and Alana Williams, who have enjoyed a sustained period at the summit of Western Australia’s training ranks.
Speaking to Racing WA, Grant Williams said post-race, “He’s just an old warhorse, he’s bouncing around like a three-year-old.
“I said to Willie, ride him like he’s a 25/1 pop and take the gaps.
“When he’s going good he tends to reef a bit, and he was doing that. With the tempo and being so far back, I thought we’d run a nice third or fourth.
“We were going to go to the Railway, he’s going to get some weight but where else do you go with these horses?”
The son of Casino Prince has been a revelation since arriving in Western Australia, winning three staying features in the 15-month period.
With the three wins under handicap conditions, his victory in the Lee Steere is his second at Group 2 level (alongside the Perth Cup), and first under weight-for-age conditions.
His victory also takes him to a career prize money total of just under $1.4 million, earned across five states and territories, with 10 victories from 43 starts.
Casino Seventeen wasn’t the only son of Casino Prince to make their way into the winners’ stall at metropolitan level on Saturday, with Bettcha The Crown also triumphant in the second race on the program at Doomben.
Vinery stands Casino Seventeen for $5,500 (inc. GST) service fee this season with payment on a live foal. For bookings or further information, contact Adam, Harry, McKoy or Peter on (02) 6543 8333.
