Veteran trainer Eric Goss revealed he has black-type plans for Casino Princess following her first-up victory in the PGG Wrightson Hcp (1200m) at Matamata on Sunday.
Casino Princess had been sidelined with serious stomach ailments but Goss has her back in the form that sparked eye-catching victories at Tauranga (by 7 lengths) and Matamata during her initial prep twelve months ago. Her only loss in four starts was on debut at Tauranga in December 2021 when stewards reported she was away awkwardly then crowded, steadied and held up until late.
Among her options going forward is the LR Tauranga Classic (1400m) at weight-for-age on June 24.
The Matamata meeting had been rescheduled after being rained off on Friday and there were further delays when a traffic accident meant the float carrying Casino Princess was late arriving on course on Sunday. Nevertheless, she started a $2.10 favourite even without the benefit of a trial under apprentice Tayla Mitchell.
“We didn’t have a lot of time when we got to the races but she got the job done,” Goss said. “It was pretty pleasing as she had been off the track for a long time. She had ulcers in her stomach and nearly died. It took me six months to get her right.”
Goss, 91, trained in Macau for many years and he races the daughter of Vinery sire Casino Prince with long-time friend and client Darryl Heaphy. “We bought her online and I thought she had a balanced pedigree,” he recalled. “Casino Prince is a son of Flying Spur so there was plenty of speed there.
“Her dam Sonsy (Thorn Park) stems from the family of Melbourne Cup winner Empire Rose so I thought she would be a good miler. I still think that and now will look for another Rating race before the Tauranga Classic next month.”
“She’s pretty good and likes heavy ground. A mile will eventually be her thing.”
Casino Prince has a colt and filly entered for the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale on Wednesday, May 31. The colt from Reliable Lady (Reliable Man) has been catalogued by Baramul Stud as Lot 1669. The Casino Prince filly from Love Bites (Keltrice) is part of the Grandview consignment as Lot 1795.
Casino Prince stands for a $5,500 fee at Vinery Stud alongside Ole Kirk ($55,000), All Too Hard ($38,500), Exceedance ($33,000), Star Turn ($27,500) and Headwater ($13,200). All fees (inc. GST) for payment on a live foal. For bookings or further information, contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
