He’s a galloper that took eight starts to break his maiden, but the Anthony Cummings-trained Caesars Palace ($6.50) has now turned the corner winning four and placing in three of his past 11 outings.
The Casino Prince gelding led all the way to take out the Fujitsu General Handicap over 1500m at Rosehill Gardens to defeat One Aye ($6) by a neck with race favourite Fiordland ($3F) a further two lengths back in third.
The four-year-old put the writing on the wall for this victory with a tough close-up second behind Nothinsweetaboutme at Randwick on Boxing Day. He was given a perfect front-running steer by hoop Josh Parr, who was having his first ride back after a three week hiatus.
Stable representative Steve Ginty believed that Parr was the difference to his charger going one better today.
“It was a good ride, total control,” Ginty said.
“If he’s not over raced early he tends to give plenty right at the end which he did today. He’s tough as old boots.
“He’s just got tougher and I think it’s the way Anthony has brought him along.”
On a hot and humid day at Rosehill Gardens horses were starting to show it in the enclosure, but Caesars Palace has defied his appearance and was too strong on the line.
“I think he might like the warm weather,” Ginty mused.
“He was pretty sweaty when we got him here and we gave him a very good cool down.
“He settled in and he’s just getting better and better this horse.”
As to Caesars Palace initially taking a while to greet the winner’s stall, Ginty was full of praise for his boss’s patience.
“I just think you’ve got to be persistent with horses that may show ability, but then they don’t show it on the track,” Ginty said.
“Anthony has been very good with this horse and he’s brought him along.
Today’s win took Caesars Palace’s overall record to four wins and five placings from 19 starts and over $190,000 in earnings.