Trainer Gavin Bedggood will gain a clearer indication of the spring prospects of his new stable acquisition Casino Seventeen when the seasoned galloper steps out at Flemington on Saturday. The versatile stayer will contest the 25/26 VRC Membership Renewals Open (2530m), marking his third start for the Bedggood yard.
Casino Seventeen has proven himself a tough campaigner, having raced across multiple states and territories including Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. “He’s been everywhere,” Bedggood said. “He hasn’t been to Tassie yet, and he might make a nice Hobart Cup horse, but he’s very tough. For a tried horse, he’s come to us very sound, which makes my job easy.”
The gelding boasts versatility at varying distances and was a dual Group 2 winner in Perth under the care of Grant and Alana Williams. Last year, Casino Seventeen captured the prestigious Perth Cup (2400m) and later demonstrated his adaptability by winning the Lee Steere Stakes over 1400m.
Since joining Bedggood, Casino Seventeen has had two runs, finishing runner-up to Jimmy The Bear first-up and then midfield over 2000m at Flemington on July 19. “He was great first-up and I thought it was a pass mark second-up,” Bedggood said. “The race this week hasn’t come up as deep as I expected, but it looks like it lacks tempo, which he probably needs to find cover. Ideally, I’d like him to settle third or fourth in the run, tucked in behind them.”
Saturday’s outing will determine his spring path. “It’s a fork-in-the-road race,” Bedggood said. “If he was to come out and win, then you’d have a throw at The Archer and see where that takes you. But if he proves to be just below the top level, there are still plenty of second-tier races for him. We could even freshen him up and bring him back in trip.”
The Archer (2500m), to be run at Flemington on September 13, offers the winner a ballot exemption for the Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November.