Short-priced favourite Casino Seventeen clung to a desperate short-half-head win over the fast-finishing Be Optimistic in the $1,000,000 Group II Tabtouch - Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on New Year’s Day.
The 6-year-old son of Vinery Stud’s evergreen Casino Prince gave Grant An Alana Williams a 5th win in the feature and a fourth for Willie Pike.
Settling worse than midfield and Zoumain set honest fractions Casino Seventeen was set to an all oyut drive in straightening. Hitting the front at the 300m, the son of Casino Prince was all out in holding the onrushing Blackfriars mare Be Optimistic with the 4-year-old Rich Enuff gelding Demolish two lengths back in third.
The six-year-old gelding advances his record to nine wins, eight seconds, and nine thirds from 35 starts with earnings of $1,139,546.
“I kept getting shuffled back and losing my spot in the run, but I ended up getting a very good run from the 700m onwards,” Pike said.
“I pulled the trigger and got there way too early. I was lucky I had a good horse and trainers to back me up.
“This was always his target, a $1,000,000 race, and pulling it off was fantastic.”
Casino Seventeen was a $45,000 Magic Millions 2YO’s in Training purchase after selling for just $9,000 from the Widden Stud draft at Inglis Classic as a yearling.
Bred by Grant Briscoe, Casino Seventeen is the best of three winners from Denman mare Tikal, who comes from the family of multiple Group winner Ferragamo.
Tikal’s 2-year-old daughter Husk (Calyx) finished third behind Photographics when on debut at Warick Farm on December 20.
After foaling a Spirit Of Boom colt in September, Tikal was covered by Trapeze Artist.
The 20-year-old stallion Casino Prince just completed his 16th season at Vinery Stud, covering 44 mares at $5,500.
