Connections of Casino Prince gelding Star Rolling are hoping he can still qualify for the Caulfield Cup after an outstanding victory in the LR Penang Trophy (1800m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Star Rolling was forced interstate in an effort to qualify for the $2.65 million Caulfield Cup on October 19. He is trained north of Melbourne at Whittlesea by Peter Morgan and Craig Widdison for managing owner Bruce Mathieson.
A son of Vinery sire Casino Prince, he had been balloted from a Melbourne race earlier this month and then missed another intended start when Ballarat was abandoned on September 12.
“We will keep entering him everywhere,” Widdison said. “His rating has lifted with that Listed win but we may even have to nominate him for the Turnbull Stakes in a fortnight.”
Star Rolling (4g Casino Prince – Uneasy by Zabeel) swept to the lead at the top of the straight in the Penang Trophy and won by two lengths from Let’s Make Adeal. “Rhys (Wheeler) was laughing in the run,” Widdison explained. “He said couldn’t hold the horse any slower coming to the turn.”
Let’s Make Adeal started favourite after a last-start fourth in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington a fortnight ago. “They were pretty confident she would win,” Widdison added. “That form-line proves we’re on the right track and it was a good effort to win second-up over 1800metres.”
Star Rolling had won twice at Flemington over 2000 metres in June prior to a short spell. He’s from a NZ bred mare who won three times up to 2200 metres around the Victoria provincials. It’s the family of Kiwi Group 1 winners Fun On The Run (Jarden Mile) and Tall Poppy (New Zealand Stakes).
“I guess it’s not the end of the world if he doesn’t make the cut for the Caulfield Cup,” Widdison admitted. “He’s a sound horse with a terrific constitution and there are plenty of second-tier staying races coming up. He will be an even better horse in the autumn.”
Star Rolling is a member of Casino Prince’s first crop and out of the Zabeel mare, Uneasy, whose own Dam – Frenetic – won 9 races including three Group races in New Zealand.
Star Rolling was offered by boutique Scone nursery Cressfield and attracted $155,000 at the 2011 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
Star Rolling is the fifth stakes winner by Casino Prince (Flying Spur) and is one of 59 individual winners from his first two crops. He was Australia’s champion first-season sire in 2011-12 and champion colt All Too Hard ensured a comprehensive second-season crown in 2012-13.
Vinery stands Casino Prince for a $22,000 (inc gst) service fee.
