Sydney, May 28 – Honest Magic Albert gelding Hotel Casino scored a tenacious short head win in the Ratings 81 event over 1250 metres at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The Grahame Begg trained four year-old took his record to four wins and five placings from 16 starts with earnings of $124,870, providing a good return for his large group of owners who include the Yarraman Park Syndicate.
A $70,000 purchase from the 2005 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Hotel Casino was bred and offered for sale by Yarraman Park Stud and is the seventh and final foal of Tycoon Scene (IRE), who passed away in 2005.
A daughter of leading broodmare sire Last Tycoon, Tycoon Scene was a half-sister to Group Two winner Courvoisier from the international family of Group One winners Indian Skimmer, Missy’s Mirage and Classy Mirage; and also Sunday’s Gosford Guineas winner Cent Per Cent..
Magic Albert was in keen demand with breeders last spring covering 145 mares at a fee of $16,500 and has had some 35 winners so far this season including stakes-winning sprinter Al Be Nimble.