LONGFORD trainer Troy Blacker has been playing on racing’s centre stage in Victoria this past month with his talented stayer Dream Pedlar and yesterday at the gelding delivered a career best effort to win the Bendigo Cup (2200m) and open the door for a crack at the Queen’s Cup at Flemington on the last day of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
Dream Pedlar has been a model of consistency in Victoria where he started his campaign and Blacker was confident going into yesterday’s race that his stable star would emerge triumphant.
“The horse has raced well every time he’s gone around here in Victoria and after his run in the Coongy Handicap last start for what was his first try on a heavy track I was very confident about his chances at Bendigo,” Blacker said.
Dream Pedlar ($8.50) was ridden yesterday by Craig Williams who had the gelding poised to strike on the home turn.
He hit the front at the top of the straight but was clearly headed by the well-backed favourite My Bentley ($3.50).
However, Blacker’s horse refused to wilt and came again over the final stages to score by a half-head from My Bentley with Zauberin a long neck astern.
Listen to what trainer Troy Blacker had to say about Dream Pedlar’s win and his immediate prospects – click here .