Casey tips Placid Ark hotpot to run like the Wind in $500k Ascot feature, but don’t discount his other runner

Co-trainer Sean Casey has all angles covered in pursuit of rich glory in Saturday’s Listed $500,000 TABtouch Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) at Ascot with top fancies Wind And The Lion and Siren Assault.

Wind And The Lion has been a long-time favourite for the event after a brilliant three-length debut win in July.

The dark gelding tasted defeat for the first time in the Placid Ark Prelude two weeks ago after sitting wide at the rear, but that hasn’t disheartened his trainer.

“He had a tough run in that race and got home really well,” Casey said.

“He needed that run. He was really fresh which, for the 1000m, we wanted him to be.

“If he had the same run as the winner, he would’ve taken a power of beating.

“Chris (Parnham) had to get going a bit earlier than he would’ve liked.

“Now, he’s got a good barrier (three), so he can hold a handy spot.

“There should be speed to bring him into the race.

“May the best man win.”

Wind And The Lion is a clear $3.40 TABtouch favourite, but Casey’s ‘second-stringer’ Siren Assault ($8.50) is far from forgotten despite the cruel blow of barrier 20.

“She’s working brilliantly,” Casey said.

“She ran a real good race last time when we went forward with her.

“She looked a good thing rounding into the straight, but she had to do a lot of work and couldn’t go on with it.

“Willie (Pike) was stoked with the run, but it wasn’t her grand final the other day and she’s trained on really well since.

“We’ll probably try to slot in with her in the three-deep line with cover.”

Trainer Luke Fernie has a potential three-pronged tilt at the big-money race, with Keep Ita Mystery ($41) and Ripper Farooq ($18) already locked away in the field.

However, Fernie says the $7 fourth emergency, who is unlikely to get a start, is the pick of the bunch.

“Skull Bone And Pig definitely would’ve been my best chance,” Fernie said.

“But Ripper Farooq was in the wrong part of the track last start; the first two lanes were very ordinary.

“The barrier hurts, but we could push the button and roll along in front.

“Keep Ita Mystery is going really good.

“He worked unreal with shades on this morning.”

Fernie says his best chance on the day is Laced Up Heels in the Jungle Mist.

The mare over-raced badly last start and will now receive blinkers for Saturday’s run but will meet Casey’s Twain’s Angel, who recently tasted defeat for the first time in an eight-start career.

“She didn’t have the easiest run last start and she needed it,” Casey said.

“It’ll suit her going back to her own sex.”

+ Fernie’s newcomer Devoted, who went around at yesterday’s Belmont trials, surprised his trainer with how well the gelding performed en route to either the Railway Stakes or Carbine Club.