In Brief
- Blacker's gelding rattles home to win Conquering.
- Reward for consistency.
- Blacker unsure of immediate future for Blaze Forth.
Two years ago, trainer John Blacker declared his handy sprinter-miler Blaze Forth would win a feature and in Launceston last night the gelding finally achieved the goal.
Blaze Forth ($26.00) settled just behind the leaders, always travelling well and when rider Troy Baker called on the gelded son of Court Command he dug deep over the final 200 metres to storm home toward the inside and defeat the fast-finishing Mandela Effect with Twitchy Frank a game third.
“This horse has been so consistent for his band of loyal owners and tonight he gets rewarded for his consistency,” Blacker said.
“He probably got a bit too far back in the Newmarket and we learned from that race, so tonight from a good gate Troy (Baker) was able to ride him more positively.
“It was a close finish and I heaved a sigh of relief when his number went in the frame because the horse had been on the other side of photo finishes in the past.”
Twitchy Frank ($3.80) and Hellova Street ($4.40) looked set to fight out the finish but Blaze Forth spoiled the party and Mandela Effect ($3.90 rattled home out wide to grab second.
Blacker was unsure of which path to take with Blaze Forth during the remainder of the Ladbrokes Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival.
“I’ll sit down and have a good look at what’s best for him over the next couple of days but in the meantime the stable and his owners can just savour this big win.”
Watch Blaze Forth win the Conquering Stakes in Launceston: