Casey confident Wind And The Lion can roar back to winner’s list in Placid Ark

Posted by RS NewsWire at 1:56pm on November 14th

Beaten but certainly not bowed.

That’s the sentiment of co-trainer Sean Casey who insists he was unfazed by Wind And The Lion’s first up defeat in the Placid Ark Prelude (1000m) at Ascot two weeks ago.

All eyes were focused on the exciting three-year-old who was sent out a warm favourite after making a grand entry to racing at Belmont in July when he distanced his rivals by 3 lengths.

From a wide barrier Wind And The Lion settled back in the Placid Ark Prelude and despite running on for fourth he was unable to catch and reel in frontrunner, Repossession.

Although the first prize cheque went begging, Casey, who co-trains with his son, Jake, said Wind And The Lion performed creditably from an awkward barrier and has what it takes to rebound in Saturday’s Listed Placid Ark Stakes (1200m).

“With the bad barrier he had to go back a little bit too far and the race got away from him,” Casey said on Tabradio.

“Chris (Parnham) had to get working on him early to make up the ground and he was pretty gallant in defeat, you know.

“There were a few horses in the race that were entitled to beat him home I thought with better runs.

“He was very gritty and we’re putting the barrier and the fact that it was a prep before the Placid Ark.

“He ticked every box without winning.”

Although vanquished in the Placid Ark Prelude, Wind And The Lion hasn’t diminished the confidence of Casey and punters.

He’s the $3.50 Tabtouch favourite, ahead of Repossession at $3.90 and first emergency, Magna’s Choice, rated $4.40.

In a capacity field of 16 runners, Wind And The Lion has drawn barrier three for Parnham and that’s the key according to Casey.

“We’re really happy with him, Chris is really happy with him,” Casey said.

“He put in a beautiful gallop on the proper at Ascot (Tuesday) and has come through that well.

“The horse with a good gate should get a trail behind some pretty fast horses.

“The way he found the line from an uncomfortable run (Prelude) and out wide the other day, if he can get a clear run, you’d think he’ll be fighting right at them.

“He should present pretty well on Saturday and we’re happy with where he’s at.”

Stable mate Siren Assault copped a blow after drawing barrier 20, but Casey hopes she can settle midfield after racing forward when sixth in the Listed Belgravia Stakes (1200m).

The Rich Enuff filly is $11 with Tabtouch. Jason Whiting to partner.

More Racing News

Spring mile test to suit The Three Hundred

He might not be in the same esteemed company as Gai Waterhouse’s previous winners of the Spring Stakes, but if The Three Hundred can add his name to the honour roll, it could prove an important stepping stone. Waterhouse has won the race twice with dual Group 1 winner and 2005 Cox...

Yesterday

864 in 2025 Blue Diamond Stakes contention

While the spring carnival still has some time to run and with summer features still to come in Queensland, attention already creeps in for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes – Victoria’s premier event for two-year-olds – with 864 juveniles nominated among the first acceptances for the end of summer...

Yesterday

No second thoughts for interstate G1 Winterbottom Stakes raider

It’s a one race trip, but Cranbourne trainer Grahame Begg is prepared to roll the dice and anticipates last-start Melbourne winner, Maharba to turn in a peak performance in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot. A trip west across the Nullarbor to contest Perth’s premier sprint on November 30...

Yesterday

Australian Bloodstock confirms Vauban purchase

A third tilt at the Melbourne Cup is back on the agenda for Vauban after confirmation the gelding had been sold to Australian Bloodstock in partnership with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. The Rich Ricci-owned star has failed to shine in the past two Melbourne Cups, finishing a disappointing 14th when sent off...

Yesterday

Morton camp in buoyant mood for Champion Fillies Stakes

“If Brad Parnham can have her close enough on Saturday, she’s going to be real hard to hold out.” Trainer Dan Morton’s stable representative BJ Ryan conveyed an air of confidence on Tabradio when discussing the fortunes of Ron’s Finalflutter who will have an army of supporters ahead of the Group...

Yesterday

Irish jockey bunkers down in Sydney for latest stint

Irish jockey Dylan Browne Mcmonagle will be a regular fixture in Sydney over the spring and summer and he is hoping to hit the ground running with key rides in the feature races at Newcastle. Attached to the Joseph O’Brien yard, Browne McMonagle was Ireland’s champion apprentice in 2021 and has linked up...

Yesterday

Tycoon’s Super shot at another Guineas double

Will Larkin doesn’t take offence to talk about Supercilious being a question mark at 1600 metres, but he figures the best mile race to put her to the test in is one with a Group 1 carrot at the end of it. Hence, she will take her place in this Saturday’s $1.5...

Yesterday

Good signs for Pisces ahead of Blue Sapphire Stakes

Pisces has Coleman to contend with, but Godolphin’s Melbourne team is drawing a line through Bittercreek to back their prospects of upsetting the Golden Slipper runner-up in Saturday’s Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield. The James Cummings-trained gelding was an unlucky second behind Bittercreek in the Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) at his...

Yesterday

Schiller out to maintain perfect record on Briasa in The Hunter

Tyler Schiller is unbeaten in three rides on up-and-coming sprinter Briasa and he is optimistic of extending that sequence to four when he partners the heavily-backed favourite in the $1 million The Hunter at Newcastle. The Hawkes Racing four-year-old has been crunched from $5 into $2.80 for Saturday’s 1300m showpiece and arrives...

Yesterday

De Kock headed back to South Africa

The Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock training partnership is nearing its conclusion with the latter set to return home to South Africa. Stable clients were on Tuesday advised of the impending change in set-up to the successful Cranbourne stable with de Kock’s name to set to disappear from Australian formguides at...

Nov 13th