No Luck Involved in Casino Time’s Success

It was no stroke of luck for Gratz Vella’s Casino Time when the 4-year-old gelding took out the Peter Lancken Handicap a fortnight ago. A typically tough runner from the Vella stable, Casino Time beat home a strong field over the 2000m at Thoroughbred Park. 

After being balloted out of a TAB Highway, Casino Time will line up in a TAB Federal over the mile in Canberra this Friday. While the grade is harder than anything he has faced in the past, Vella doesn’t think his galloper will be out of his depth. 

“He’ll be competitive.” Vella said. “He’s done really well so far this preparation so I can’t see any reason why he wouldn’t be up to this grade.” 

“The 2000m back to 1600m is a challenge for any horse but we’ve set him for the TAB Federal over 2000m at Thoroughbred Park on the 21st of August so this is the ideal lead up race for him.”  

Casino Time has had 19 starts for 3 wins and 4 minor placings. 

Away She Goes produced a slick final 600 metres a fortnight ago to take out the Paul Miller TAB Federal at Thoroughbred Park. It was an enormous first-up performance that suggests the Luke Pepper-trained mare is in for a big preparation. 

The recently turned 7-year-old lines up again this Friday and is looking to take out back-to-back TAB Federals.  

Keith Dryden also has 3 gallopers engaged in the affair with Prince Jacko, Sweet Knuckle and Wichita Warrior all live hopes. 

The TAB Federal is Race 7 on the program and is due to jump at 4:05pm. Racing begins on Friday at Thoroughbred Park at 12:20pm.