The Group III Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday was run at a solid clip resulting in the field coming home at well-spaced intervals, but it was Casino Prince galloper Mighty Lucky that proved too strong.
The 6yo gelding Mighty Lucky had not won past 1500 metres in his previous 36 starts but has always looked comfortable at a mile. This was his first start at beyond a mile and will now certainly not be his last. Mighty Lucky had had 4 starts at the mile for two placings and two mid field results (5th & 6th) in Group races and a Gr.3 wibn at first attempt at 2000m suggests there are more distances races to come.
Given the run of the race by Kathy O’Hara the son of Casino Prince accelerated past the brave pacesetter Junoob (GB) at the 300 and showed no signs of stopping to win by two and a quarter lengths with the two-time Summer Cup winner I’m Imposing (GB) three and a quarter lengths back in third.
It was the third stakes win for the Fred Cowell-trained gelding following the Listed Luskin Star Stakes at Scone and the Listed Festival Stakes at Rosehill on November 28.
His overall record advances to 7 wins, 8 seconds and 5 thirds from 37 starts for earnings of over $543,000.
Nathan Thomas had ridden Mighty Lucky in 34 of his previous 36 starts and all six of his wins, but O’Hara had ridden him once before, at Gosford over three years ago.
“His form has been terrific leading into it,” O’Hara said. “Fred (Cowell) has done a great job and Nathan Thomas too has done a great job riding the horse.”
“The 2000-metres was good for him. He ran it out strongly. It was a genuine tempo up front. If there was ever a doubt about him running it, it would have been today because it was a solid test for him.”
The son of the Vinery Stud-based Casino Prince is the third foal of the Octagonal mare Buxom Babe a half-sister to two-time Listed Stakes winner High Rolling from the family of the impressive Snitzel 2yo colt Nikitas.
Buxom Babe has a 2yo colt by Red Element named Red Onyx and a yearling filly by the same stallion. She foaled an I Am Invincible colt on November 16.
Casino Prince has 8 yearlings catalogued for the Magic Millions and the same amount at the Inglis Classic sale.
