HALL of Fame thoroughbred trainer George Blacker has proven time and again that he is a good judge of horseflesh with many young horses purchased by the astute mentor going on to win feature races.
The latest youngster to catch Blacker’s eye in the sale ring is highly promising two-year-old Anelene that made it two wins in succession at the TOTE Racing Centre at Mowbray last Sunday.
Anelene broke her maiden status at Mowbray at the last night meeting of the season after which Blacker declared she was a “star of the future”.
Anelene made her debut in Hobart last month but she was blocked for a run at a crucial stage and had to settle for second to subsequent Sires Produce Stakes runner-up Crown Consul.
But at her next start she gave her rivals a galloping lesson in a 2YO maiden over 1100 metres at Mowbray.
Last Sunday she stepped up to 1220 metres and again she delivered the goods like potential top liner.
Blacker paid $20,000 for the daughter of Written Tycoon at the Melbourne Autumn yearling sale which is a hefty amount for Blacker, who usually likes to dabble in the $4000-$10,000 price range.
“I had a good look at the catalogue and this one caught my eye on looks and breeding,” Blacker said.
The filly was broken in and from the moment she stepped foot in Blacker’s training complex he knew had something special.
“She is a good size filly that is strong and I’m confident she will be good over more ground than she’s been tried at this time in,’ he said.
Blacker has already compared this filly to his former star and Hall of Fame inductee Royal Rambo, which is high praise indeed considering the trainer rates that horse the best he has prepared.
Anelene is owned by Blacker and three of his long time stable clients in physicians Byron Bonney and Bernie Einoder and Tony Pedder and his wife Marlene.
Anelene will head to the spelling paddock this week with two wins and second to her credit and Blacker already has a race in mind when she returns.
“She’ll be aimed at the Oaks next season if everything works to plan and she’ll probably come back with the 3YO Cup as her first mission,’ Blacker said.