Vinery sire Casino Prince has another front-line candidate for The Big Dance (1600m) as the build-up intensifies for the inaugural $2million mile at Randwick on the first Tuesday in November.
Team Hawkes galloper Bandersnatch qualified after winning the $200,000 Tamworth Cup (1400m) in April and Casino Kid is also the mix following his victory in the $100,000 Dubbo Gold Cup (1600m) last Sunday.
They are both priced at $15 on the fourth line of The Big Dance markets behind Hosier ($6), Rustic Steel ($7) and Surf Dancer ($9).
The Big Dance field will be drawn from the winners and second-placed horses of 25 Country Cup races from across NSW. A Wild Card race will also be run at Randwick in October and Benchmark ratings will then be used to determine the final field from the pool of eligible horses.
Casino Kid is a homebred for Newcastle-based Dan Morice who is a long-term client of trainer Jan Bowen. “He just a beautiful horse and has been knocking on the door,” Bowen said at Dubbo. “We thought he was a big chance with a bit of luck from the back.”
With Grant Buckley riding a patient race towards the rear on the rails, Casino Kid burst through a gap in the straight to win running away by over a length. “When he sees daylight, he showed what he can do today,” Bowen added. “Hopefully, that helps him get into The Big Dance.”
Casino Kid won a Wellington 2yo maiden in July 2020 and has added city wins at Randwick (2) and Rosehill for a creditable career-card of 6 wins in 28 starts earning $417,525. His dam Cyclone Annie (Hurricane Sky) is a winning half-sister to Ponton Flyer (VRC Kewney Stakes Gr.2).
Ambitious Prince had won another trophy for Casino Prince in the Tuncurry Cup (2100m) two days before the Dubbo Cup. Bred by Steven Smith and sold by Vinery (as agent) for $115,000 at the 2016 Gold Coast Magic Millions, he has now won 7 races and $267,000 with the majority accrued since transferring to trainer Warren Gavenlock.
Casino Prince (Flying Spur) stands for a $5,500 (inc GST) service fee at Vinery. For bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
