LIGHTLY raced mare Ocean Star could be a future cups contender according to her trainer John Blacker who made the prediction after the mare scored an impressive win in a strong class one handicap over 1400 metres at UBET Park Hobart today.
Ocean Star broke her maiden status over 1420m in February and followed up with two seconds over 1600m before ending her campaign with an unplaced effort in Launceston.
She resumed two weeks ago in Hobart and while eighth of 15 she was only four lengths from the winner.
Blacker expected her to be very competitive today and was delighted with the result.
Leading apprentice Ismail Toker had Ocean Star (Any Given Saturday-Marette) settled midfield and tracking wide down the back straight but he crossed back to the rails at the 600m peg where the going was best.
When Toker called on Ocean Star for the supreme effort in the home straight she sped clear and had no trouble staving off late challenges from Great delight and Ashalar.
Blacker trained Ocean Star’s dam Marette that he prepared to win a Sir Tristram Trophy (2100m) at three and she was unlucky not to win the Thousand Guineas in the same season.
She was being prepared for a tilt at the major cups when she went amiss and was retired to stud.
Listen to what trainer John Blacker had to say about Ocean Star’s latest win.
By Peter Staples.