Pike says a lot of things in Casino Seventeen’s favour in the Perth Cup
Champion jockey William Pike agrees with a fair chunk of pundits that key factors are in play for Casino Seventeen to win Monday’s Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot.
A perfect barrier draw, light weight, nearing peak form and prepared by master conditioners, has Pike brimming with excitement that he can win a fourth Perth Cup.
Punters share Pike’s assessment with Casino Seventeen the rock-solid $3 favourite, ahead of interstate raiders, Numerian at $4.80 and Zoumon $8.
Casino Seventeen jumps from barrier five, drops to 53kg after carrying 59kg in the weight-for-age Northerly Stakes and Ted Van Heemst Stakes and is trained by Grant and Alana Williams, renowned at getting their horses to peak for their grand final.
Pike is hungry to get back in the saddle and kick off the New Year in style after he copped a 22-day suspension for causing interference in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on December 2.
Pike missed the ride on Casino Seventeen in the Northerly Stakes when placed 10th and last week’s Ted Van Heemst Stakes when the son of Casino Prince ran hard to finish three lengths third behind Numerian.
Pike, who won the Perth Cup on Crown Prosecutor (2005), Real Love (2015) and Mississippi Delta (2020), said Casino Seventeen is ready to fly and he’s looking forward to the opportunity of claiming his fourth victory in WA’s most prestigious staying contest.
“I’m looking forward to it and I know that he has been set for the race,” Pike told The Races WA.
“He drops a lot of weight from his last start, we’ve drawn a good barrier and there are lot of things in our favour.
“I also have confidence in Grant and Alana who are the best grand final trainers going around, so he ticks a lot of boxes.
“There are a lot of things in Casino Seventeen’s favour, the jockey just has to tick one more off on the day.”
Pike is eager to strike back and turn the tables on Numerian following the Ted Van Heemst Stakes.
He has healthy respect for the two-time Group 1 placed eight-year-old, but believes the 59kg topweight will be a difficult burden to overcome.
“I’m looking forward to the battle,” Pike said.
“Numerian has an awful lot of weight for a staying distance.
“In the shorter ones it’s not so significant, but in the staying ones it is to my mind.”
Pike rates Numerian as Casino Seventeen’s biggest danger in the Perth Cup, but he also believes Diamond Scene should not be left out of discussion.
One of two runners for leviathan owner-breeders Bob and Sandra Peters, the gelding won four straight races before finishing a bunching fourth to Queen Alina in the A.T.A. Stakes (2200m).
“Numerian is obviously a clear danger,” Pike said.
“Diamond Scene had to do a lot of work up the hill the first time in the A.T.A. and I thought it was a game effort.
“Horses like that are dangers because like me they are going to get in on the minimum and they’re in good form.
“With barrier two and lightweight it will beat more than half of them home.
“I give him a lot of respect.”
Trained by Donna Riordan, Pike’s partnered Diamond Scene in two of his victories this campaign.
The four-year-old is a winner in five of 10 starts.
The Williams stable is shooting for their fifth Perth Cup victory. The husband and wife team won previously with Western Jewel (2012), Delicacy (2016), Mississippi Delta (2020) and Midnight Blue (2022).
More Racing News
Multiple race engagements for Signature Scent from Maher stable
The Ciaron Maher racing stable has presented three-year-old filly Signature Scent with a trio of potential races to add to her career record, including two Stakes events.Signature Scent holds nominations for the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) and a Three-Year-Old Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield, alongside the Listed Lightning Stakes (1050m)...
Beiwacht shows class in Warwick Farm trial for Waller
The highly-rated colt Beiwacht, a dual Group One victor, was a prominent figure in the initial trial at Warwick Farm on Tuesday, demonstrating impressive form to win the 900m heat.This son of Bivouac, belonging to Godolphin, made the transition from three-year-old races to open-age competition in the Autumn, adding the...
Cosmic Crusader set for Victorian debut in Bletchingly Stakes
Trainer Andrea Leek is yet to pinpoint the exact spring campaign for Cosmic Crusader, but she is anticipating his racecourse return this Saturday.The Group 1-winning Western Australian gelding is scheduled to make his Victorian racing debut in the $200,000 Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes, a 1200m contest at Caulfield.This five-year-old entire,...
Randwick trials see Waller's stars return
A significant contingent of Chris Waller's established racehorses, prominently featuring the acclaimed mare Autumn Glow, commenced their spring preparations at Randwick on Monday morning.The initial three trials, all conducted over 900 metres on the Kensington track following a postponement from Friday due to wet conditions, showcased numerous Group 1 winners...
Concord Connie eyes Victorian Group 1 success
Charlotte Littlefield, the Pakenham-based trainer, is opting against chasing substantial prize money in interstate races with Concord Connie, focusing instead on securing a Group 1 win within Victoria.The exciting mare, Concord Connie, has undergone four weeks of preparation and is being readied for her return, with the Group 1 Empire...
Midnight Dynamite's Path to the Big Dance After Rosehill Win
Connections of Midnight Dynamite are keen to see the horse contest a $3 million prize following his commanding performance in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill.Having added Saturday's stakes race to his triumph in last month's Listed Civic Stakes (1400m), the gelding is now slated for the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m)...
Bold Soul's future may be over jumps after Flemington success
Connections have found Bold Soul, trained by Patrick Payne, to be a good earner on the flat, but his future might be better suited to hurdles.Bold Soul secured the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday, adding to his seven prior wins from 33 starts and boosting...
Sword Of Legacy's determined win follows Band Of Brothers' Ramornie success
Matthew Dunn's stable has enjoyed a prosperous week, capped by Sword Of Legacy's hard-fought victory at Rosehill. This triumph arrived just three days after Band Of Brothers, carrying the same lime, purple, and gold Hesket Thoroughbreds silks of David Moodie, captured the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.Sword Of Legacy, sent out...
Ko Phangan claims Byerley Handicap at Flemington
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable continues its impressive run in qualifying races for Classic contenders with Ko Phangan's recent victory at Flemington.Ko Phangan's win in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) secures a coveted ballot exemption for either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) during the Melbourne...
Joint Venture earns carnival ticket with Rosehill triumph
A late-developing two-year-old, Joint Venture, is now in contention for the initial three-year-old feature races after securing a crucial win at Rosehill.The impeccably bred son of I Am Invincible, a $625,000 yearling acquisition for the Newgate stallions syndicate, displayed significant progress from his debut second at Wyong, asserting his class...