Handy Litter For Hancock’s Keep Producing At Casino
After a two win haul at Albion Park the previous night, the Primo Uno / Hannalore litter kept performing for Edith and Frank Hancock with Pretty Malaika taking out the Casino RSM Club Free For All.
When the favourite Kooringa Squirt was left out on a limb in the early stages, Pretty Malakia took full advantage of the rails, and skipped away with a winning break. When the judge called a halt, she had a neck to spare holding out the fast finishing Karanne Star in a fast 23.17.
Hannalore won 52 races herself in Queensland before the Hancock's moved to the Northern Rivers, and she has certainly thrown speed and stamina to her youngsters.
Jolly Jonna showed all of her customary speed to seal a win in the Charcoal Inn stake. She began like a bullet and had a big lead in the back straight. Although the Hancock's Piccolo Bacio finished hard, Jolly Jonna had enough in hand to win by a 1/2 length in 27.88, much to the joy of her multitude of owners. Shane Robinson is the trainer.
The Mc Calman / Wylie combination is having a top run at Casino and they again took out a double. Steal De Bullion who looked well placed in a 5th grade did “steal” the money when he raced clear going into the back. He won by 5 3/4 lengths in a fast 23.24. His sister Go Wild Caza also shot away in the middle stages, and won by 2 1/4 lengths in 23.26.
Dame Bluebell made it two in a row for Garry Cluss when she won the first of the two distance races. She led most of the way and clocked 35.90. The second stayers went to the well bred, and well supported Cheeky Prince who ran 36.02. He is a rising five year old but was never in danger winning by 2 3/4 lengths in all of the way fashion.
A quick winning trip to Moree last week didn't stop Propela from producing her best in winning the Ranvet stake for Chris Schafer in 23.37, whilst Veni La Vici led throughout in the Casino Rural Traders stake, scoring by a length in 23.56 for Pat Lavis.
Alan Lang won the opening maiden with Somebody's Crying who ran 23.56, and Maverick was dealt a winning hand when he broke his duck running 23.36 for Trevor Salmoni.
Bellbird Park ran up to his best by running the best of the day over 484 metres (27.36) for Matt Reid, and Canford Cliffs made it consecutive wins with a 5 1/2 length romp in 27.61.
Casino will race again this Friday afternoon with a twelve event TAB card.