WESLEY VALE trainer Glenn Stevenson uttered only a few words after his in-form sprinter Blacko finished a luckless second in Launceston last week – “wait till he gets over 1600 metres.”
Blacko finished on the heels of Aslanyon over 1400 metres last week in Launceston but tonight he fronts up over 1600 metres which should suit the gelding to a tee.
Blacko has won over 1350m at Devonport this preparation but two runs either side of that win have produced minor placings with the latest two resulting in the gelded son of Dubleo finishing at the rate of knots at the business end of proceedings.
Tonight he gets out to 1600 metres which should be ideal and with leading jockey David Pires in the saddle the seven-year-old should get the run of the race from barrier four and have the ammunition to deliver the knockout blow to his rivals over the concluding stages.
An honest pace is assured with natural front-runner Makes Cents in the race and if by some chance he didn’t free-wheel in front last season’s Tasmanian Derby winner Ollie’s Gold is there as the reserve leader.
If the pace is on from the outset Pires should be able to land his charge in the one-out-one-back position and if that eventuates Blacko should pack too many guns for his rivals despite racing out of his class.
Spy Wears Prado looms as a logical danger but he gives away 3.5 kg in weight to Blacko that will carry the minimum of 54 kg.