Tasracing

Longford trainer John Blacker declared his three-year-old Swoop Dog can win the Tasmanian Derby-Launceston Cup double after the gelding blitzed his rivals in the $100,000 Tasmanian Guineas over 1600m in Launceston on Friday.

Swoop Dog went into the race with a maiden win and a minor placing to his credit from only three starts.

Talented apprentice Kyle Maskiell, who had to waste hard to ride the three-year-old at 57kg, had Swoop Dog ($8) settled beyond midfield but improved from the 600m mark to be within striking distance straightening for the run home.

The gelded son of Husson unleashed a powerful finishing burst to win comfortably from First Accused ($3.70) and One Lotto ($17).

“I’ve always thought this horse could be a bit special and he has improved with every start and I reckon he has what it takes to go on and win the Derby and the Launceston Cup,” Blacker said.

“He may well be the best horse I’ve ever trained.”

Swoop Dog bears an unusual name but part-owner Robyn Whishaw from Armidale Stud that bred the gelding, said he was supposed to be named after internationally acclaimed rapper Snoop Dogg.

“The dam is Swooper so my son David said we should name the horse Swoop Dogg but when I put the name in for registration, I didn’t spell it (Dogg) right,” Whishaw said.

If Swoop Dog does win the Tasmanian Derby next month, he will earn ballot-free entry into the Launceston Cup and he would become the first to achieve the feat.

While Blacker is hoping Swoop Dog can earn ballot free entry onto the Launceston Cup, his promising stayer Super Swoop won the Brighton Cup to give the former South Australian stayer ballot-free entry into next month’s Ladbrokes Hobart Cup.

Super Swoop ($9.50) produced a barnstorming finish with Craig Newitt aboard to hit the front 200m out and staved off a late challenge from outsider Toricain ($151) to win by a neck.

Watch Swoop Dog win the Tasmanian Guineas in Launceston.