Geoff Durrant declared Jackpot Prince a Perth Cup horse after his promising stayer won the Crown Towers Hcp (2100m) at Ascot.

Racing second-up after an extended spell on Saturday, the Casino Prince gelding appreciated some quick sectionals to swamp his rivals in the final furlong.  “I thought he would have won by more with the pace on,” Durrant said.  “We’ve got a love-hate relationship with this horse but it’s always good to get a win.

“He’s the only one we forgot to nominate for Westspeed and it’s cost us over $100,000 in bonuses.”

Jackpot Prince (4g Casino Prince – Transit Of Venus by Galileo), who improved his own weight during last year’s winter season, is from a descendant of VRC Oaks Gr.1 winner Diamond Shower.

He won a Narrogin maiden and added a couple a restricted races in town before claiming the Belmont Classic-LR (2200m) in July.  “We did think about getting him ready for the Perth Cup but he was still maturing and too raw,” Durrant said.  “We decided to hold off for a year.  Hopefully, he will go through the grades and is there for the next Perth Cup.”

Durrant bought his dam Transit Of Venus from the Greenfields Lodge dispersal in 2014.  The mare has a Blackfriars 2yo colt named Drop The Orange and she foaled another colt by the deceased Scenic Lodge champion in September.

JACKPOT PRINCE