Williams eyeing another big win with Casino

Fresh from a stunning run of feature race success over the last month, harness racing trainer Ray Williams is eyeing another big win in tomorrow night’s Nova 93.7 4YO Classic (2130m) at Gloucester Park with Star Casino (Bettor’s Delight).

The gelding caused a minor upset in the Group 3 4YO Championship earlier this month, storming over the top of a game Hoppys Way.

The progression Star Casino has made since joining his stable has pleasantly surprised Williams, who said he didn’t expect to feature prominently in the four-year-old series.

“I didn’t think we would get to this stage,” Williams told The Trots WA.

“He’s only a little horse but he tries and really runs through the line.

“He won his first two and he’s just kept on improving.

“The Nugget was the furthest thing from my mind.”

The son of Bettors Delight had his first start for Williams in September and has gone on to build a respectable record of three wins from six starts in the state.

He gets a chance to improve his record from a favourable draw in tomorrow night’s $125,000 event, where he came up with barrier 10.

Hoppys Way looks set to get a chance to lead the event from barrier one, with TABtouch favourite My Ultimate Ronnie drawn in three.

Williams said he hoped Star Casino, to be driven by Dylan Egerton-Green, would be able to get a similar run to last start tomorrow night.

“Dylan drove him perfectly last start,” he said.

“He’s got a sneaky chance on Friday.

“I don’t know if the one will hold up, but even three back on the fence will put him into it.

“He’s better coming from back in the field, even though he’s got speed.”

Williams will be hoping Cyclone Charlotte can force her way into the field for next month’s Group 1 Golden Nugget when she lines up in the 4YO Classic Consolation (2130m) earlier on tomorrow night’s card.

The mare, to be driven by Emily Suvaljko for the first time, will have to overcome a sticky draw in barrier seven.

Magnificent Storm will start for the first time since his WA Pacing Cup triumph earlier this month, when he lines up in the Pat Cranley Memorial (2130m).

The six-year-old will face just three rivals in the $30,000 event, headlined by WA Pacing Cup placegetter Minstrel.

Egerton-Green teams up with the gelding for the first time, with regular Aiden De Campo suspended.

Williams said he expected Egerton-Green to suit Magnificent Storm, the $1.01 TABtouch favourite, well.

“Dylan looked after him recently when I was away,” he said.

“He’s the second in line and gets the to drive him this week.

“Magnificent Storm worked well this week and he should probably go out and win.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Tim Walker for RWWA