In Brief
- Blacker has high hopes for Argyle Beach.
- 3YO Cup run depends on outcome of class one on Wednesday night.
- Three-year-olds have the edge.
Trainer John Blacker has thrown caution to the wind by placing his talented three-year-old Argyle Beach on a seven-day back-up plan in quest of next week’s 3YO Cup.
Argyle Beach will contest the class one handicap in Launceston tonight as a lead-up to the 3YO Cup to be run next Wednesday.
“I ran Argyle Beach in Devonport on Melbourne Cup day which I thought would be enough to take him into the 3YO Cup, but I reckon he’s going to be better off with a run this Wednesday night under his belt,” Blacker said.
“He was a good third in Devonport and I reckon he’s good enough to hold his own in a 3YO Cup, but we won’t make a final decision until after Wednesday night’s race.
“He is a genuine Guineas horse because I’m sure he is going to be better when he gets to a mile (1600m) but in saying that, he is versatile enough to be very competitive over 1200m.”
The race comprises four three-year-olds, Tough Boy, Argyle Beach, Maceyanna and Gee Gee Double Hot, with Tough Boy and Gee Gee Double Hot last start winners.
Tough Boy was second at his first two starts and was a deserving winner last time he stepped out against older and more experienced rivals in Launceston three weeks ago.
Gee Gee Double Hot broke her maiden status in Launceston two weeks ago when she flashed home along the rails to outgun the heavily backed favourite Sir Da Vinci over 1200m.
Maceyanna resumed from a spell with a fourth of eight in Devonport on Melbourne Cup day, finishing just behind Argyle Beach.
Zagame was very impressive in winning at her first start in the state in Launceston three weeks ago in which she produced a barnstorming finish to defeat Real Acclaim and Lucky Roo in a maiden over 1220m.
It would surprise if the winner of this race came from outside of Zagame or the three-year-old brigade.
Watch Argyle Beach finish third to Fitzwilliam in Devonport on 5 November.