Casino Prince gelding Jackpot Prince completed a busy season in the best possible way when he came with a barnstorming finish to land
It was also a first stakes success for apprentice Clint Johnston-Porter who sat back in
When Matthieu Autier made his run on Gatting, Jackpot Prince momentarily had trouble keeping in touch.
Set to an all-out drive in the home straight, Jackpot Prince flew in the closing stages to defeat the outsider Persian Princess (Stryker) by a head with Gatting (Hard Spun) a further half-length back in third. (photo Perth Racing)
Jason Miller, who trains Jackpot Prince in partnership with Geoff Durrant, said the Casino Prince three-year-old has a promising future.
"At the
"Credit to the horse and to the ride. You might see in a year's time a Perth Cup horse.
"He'll be going out now. It's been a long campaign, he probably needed a spell a couple of runs ago."
Johnston-Porter said it was a great feeling to reward Miller and Durrant for the faith they have shown in him.
"It means the world to me," Johnston-Porter said.
"I've been with them my whole apprenticeship and they've definitely helped me out a lot and given me a lot of opportunities, so getting the Listed win for them has just made my day."
Jackpot Prince has made all of his 11 career starts this season.
He was coming off a third behind Variation and western Temple in the Listed Aquanita Stakes (2000m).
His overall record advances to four wins and three thirds from 11 starts with earnings of $108,075.
Jackpot Prince is the fourth foal of the unraced Transit of Venus who is beginning to look like an inspired purchase by Geoff Durrant who needed to outlay just $3,500 to secure the daughter of Galileo from Greenfields Lodge dispersal at the 2014 Magic Millions Perth Autumn Thoroughbred Sale.
Her dam Crown Jewels (Twig Moss) is a half-sister to Group III winner and Group I Stradbroke Handicap runner-up Diamond Dane (Danehill) and Group II Theo Marks Stakes winner Double your Bet (Palace Music) the dam of Group III winners Le Destina and Exchequer.
Crown Jewels
Transit Of Venus has a yearling colt by Blackfriars that was knocked down to Durrant Racing for $22,000 at this year's Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
She missed in 2015 and was covered by Blackfriars again last spring.
Jackpot Prince becomes the 15th stakes winner and the fourth this season for Vinery Stud's Casino Prince.
The son of Flying Spur stands for a fee of $11,000 in 2017.
