Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Star Casino, a small lightly framed seven-year-old, has lived in the shadow of his illustrious brothers Self Assured and Caviar Star, but he is certainly no slouch.
He took his earnings to $251,776 when he revealed admirable strength to win the $31,000 Westside Auto Fixed Price Servicing Pace over 2536m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
He is the eighth and last foal out of Christian Cullen mare Star Of Venus, who has produced the brilliant Self Assured (74 starts for 30 wins, 33 placings and $2,410,066), Caviar Star (49 starts for 14 wins, 15 placings and $362,582), Star Of Memphis (15 wins and $140,240), Star Of Dionysis (12 wins and $118,449) and Vega Star (26 wins and $185,267).
Self Assured, a full-brother to Star Casino (who has raced 86 times for five wins in New Zealand another eleven in WA), won the Auckland Cup in 2019 and 2022, the 2020 New Zealand Cup at Addington and the 2021 Easter Cup at the same track.
The highlight of Caviar Star’s career was his thrilling head victory over Vampiro in the Fremantle Cup at Gloucester Park in January 2020.
Star Casino was a $6.70 chance from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line in Friday night’s event in which he was driven aggressively by Ryan Warwick, who sent the Bettors Delight gelding forward, three wide, in the early stages to move to the breeze outside the $6.50 chance Petes Honour.
Warwick was content remain in the breeze until the $2.35 favourite Minos rushed forward from last to challenge for the lead after a lap. Warwick kept Minos at bay as he sent Star Casino to the front with 1500m to travel, leaving Minos the task of racing without cover.
After a third 400m section of 28.6sec. Star Casino ran the final quarter in 29.1sec. and won by a length from Petes Honour, who was hampered for room in the home straight. Thelittle Master ($8.50) again flew home to finish an eye-catching third.
Star Casino, who is prepared by astute veteran trainer Ray Williams, should be capable of running strong races in upcoming events such as the $50,000 Easter Cup on April 3 and the $50,000 Governor’s Cup the following week.