Bunbury Stakes atonement for Red Fifty Three
In a race of hard luck stories, the Pinjarra Classic (1300m) was a bad watch for co-trainers Grant and Alana Williams and backers of Red Fifty Three two weeks back.
Jockey Madi Derrick was lucky to stay aboard Red Fifty Three when the five-year-old copped a severe check in between rivals when passing the 200m.
Under the circumstances, the Gingerbread Man gelding did an outstanding job to recover and finish 12th, beaten just four lengths by River Rubicon.
Grant Williams said Red Fifty Three took no ill effects from the run and he’ll look for redemption when he lines up in Saturday’s Listed Bunbury Stakes (1400m).
“You don’t like seeing your horses get knocked over like that,” Williams said on Tabradio.
“That’s racing, but he did come through that pretty good and is in good nick.
“His head space is good and it hasn’t affected him there and physically he’s fine.”
Red Fifty Three went into the Pinjarra Classic after a barnstorming win from near last when first up over 1200m at Ascot.
Tabtouch punters have backed Red Fifty Three from $8.50 to $6.50. He currently shares favouritism with Mojo Rhythm.
Part-owned by former Wildcats legend, Damian Martin, Williams is confident Red Fifty Three can claim his main black-type success.
“I think he can, I think we can” Williams said.’
“I think if we went left and not right the other day (Pinjarra Classic) we might have been close.
“We go into it with a bit of confidence and the horse is in good nick.
“We have Chris (Parnham) on which is definitely a plus and he knows him pretty well.
“It’s an even field but he is up to the class.”
Red Fifty Three jumps from barrier 10 for Parnham.
Stable mate Crescent City, rated a $34 outsider, has drawn gate four.
The six-year-old, to be ridden by Jordan Turner, was disappointing according to Williams when 13th in the Pinjarra Classic.
“I actually thought he’d go better,” Williams said.
“His work leading up was excellent and as good as it’s been.
“The 1400m will suit him better.”
Meanwhile, 12 years after winning the Bunbury Cup with Lords Ransom, Williams and his team will be out to claim their second when saddling up Casino Seventeen.
The six-year-old ran third to Marocchino in the Detonator Stakes (1800m) last-start, his first run back since taking out the Perth Cup (2400m) in January.
Casino Seventeen has drawn barrier nine with Jarrad Noske taking the mount and carries 62kg, sharing top weight with consistent seven-year-old, Marocchino.
“It’s a lot of weight, but with his rating that’s where he sits now,” Williams said.
“I was rapt with how he came through the Detonator Stakes.
“He’s got a good motor and a good set of lungs.
“He’ll be competitive, but whether he wins with that weight we’ll find out.”
Casino Seventeen is currently rated $7.50. Marocchino the $3.40 favourite.
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