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
Cavalry Girl eyes Moir Stakes repeat of history
History favours Cavalry Girl as she prepares to extend her winning sequence in the Group 1 Moir Stakes.Since the Moir Stakes was rescheduled to an early September date in 2024, both subsequent champions, Baraqiel and Mornington Glory, had achieved victory in the Carlyon Stakes (1000m) beforehand.Cavalry Girl captured the Carlyon...
Sandown Stakes race sees Maher fillies renew rivalry
The Ciaron Maher stable recently secured a top four finish in a maiden race held at Sandown.Two of the horses from that race are now set to compete in a Stakes race at Sandown, aiming to continue the successful run for the Maher stable.Saintly Dancer and Ghana's Akan, who finished...
Thebudgiesmugla seeks to maintain perfect distance record
A prominent contender in metropolitan races, Thebudgiesmugla has an impeccable record of five wins from five starts over 2400 metres and is aiming to extend this streak to six in the Drinkwise Cup at Randwick.This six-year-old gelding was one of the notable performers of the off-season, achieving victory in three...
Blind Raise commences Caulfield Guineas pursuit at Sandown
The connections of Blind Raise harbour aspirations for the colt to be a prominent contender in upcoming spring features, with his campaign set to commence at Sandown.The colt is slated to run in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1300m) on Saturday, a race that could potentially lead to a Group 1...
Green Spaces on track for spring success after Derby win
Despite being the early favourite for the Caulfield Cup and expected to excel at longer distances, jockey Rachel King believes Green Spaces has the potential to surprise in the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick.The Australian Derby winner showed a good late surge when finishing eighth in the Winx Stakes (1400m) last...
Edmonds confident Extragalactic is primed for Moir Stakes
The journey for Group 1 honours for Extragalactic begins this Saturday in the $750,000 Moir Stakes at Sandown.Trainer Trent Edmonds, based in Pakenham, is set to unveil the four-year-old mare for the first time since her narrow defeat by a nose to Desert Lightning in The Goodwood, a 1000-metre weight-for-age...
Spring ambitions kick-off at Sandown for Zambardo
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable holds considerable expectations for Zambardo, while also conceding the horse must reach new heights.With nominations for both the Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup, Zambardo commences his campaign in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Sandown on Saturday.Zambardo is a lightly raced...
El Castello's Tramway Stakes bid begins with a clean slate
John Thompson expresses satisfaction in commencing El Castello's latest racing campaign with a fresh perspective, maintaining a quiet confidence that the Group 1 victor still possesses untapped talent.The path for the connections of the five-year-old has presented considerable challenges. He distinguished himself as a standout performer of his era by...
Amenable looks to end winless streak in Chautauqua Stakes
Amenable is aiming to break a considerable drought without a win as he makes his debut for Grahame Begg at Sandown.The gelding, previously trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, is set to compete in the Group 3 Chautauqua Stakes over 1300 metres on Saturday, having been sidelined for...
Geegees Mistruth readies for Group 1 Moir Stakes challenge
The Mark Walker stable is looking forward to the Moir Stakes at Sandown, with Geegees Mistruth set to make her mark.This 1000-metre Group 1 event is being staged at Sandown this year due to ongoing track renovations and a reconfiguration at Moonee Valley.A competitive field of 13 runners is slated...