In Brief
- Blacker pleasantly surprised with Costero's win.
- Trainer disappointed with two-year-old result.
- Golden Egg goes close to giving Blacker a double.
Longford trainer John Blacker had a mixed day in Hobart on Sunday snaring a winner and a runner-up while his two-year-old Lago Approach put in a shocker to finish last.
The stable produced former Victorian gelding Costero to win the opening event on the eight-race card, the Thankyou to the Nurses maiden over 1200 metres.
Costero settled worse than midfield but under strong riding from Bulent Muhcu, the son of Trusting unleashed a powerful finishing burst in the home straight to go on and score by almost two lengths from Runaway Girl ($3.20) with Bulbasaur ($18) a half-length astern.
“I am pleasantly surprised with what Costero did today, although his trial win at Longford coming into this race was very good because the horse that ran third in the trial, Sh’bourne Renegade, won in Launceston last week,” Blacker said.
“He is going to be even better when he gets over 1600m and further so today’s win was a bonus.”
Blacker’s juvenile Lago Approach was backed in to start the $3.80 favourite but after settling midfield on the rails he was unable to gain a clear run at any stage heading into the home turn and was not ridden out to finish last of the 10 starters.
“I won’t make any comment on Lago Approach’s performance until I see how the horse has pulls up, I’ve watched the race replay and I’ve had a good talk to the rider.”
The race was won by the Terry Evans-trained Swingin’ George that rattled home to score impressively after being backed in from $7 to start the $5.50 third favourite.
Blacker’s stable newcomer Golden Egg ($13) looked set to win the Relish Catering 3YO Maiden (1100m) when she kicked clear in the home straight after leading but she was run down by the highly promising Stefanidi from the Ian Hay stable.
Golden Egg, previously prepared by Simone Ferchie, only arrived at Blacker’s stable last month but she had a trial in Devonport early this month to prepare for the first-up assignment.
Blacker’s other runner Oh So Needy ran on late to finish fifth in the class one handicap over 1100m, won by Gee Gee Goldenlass.
Watch Costero score an impressive maiden win in Hobart on Sunday.