A horse that Longford trainer John Blacker bought for $10,000 in Melbourne and always believed was destined for stardom fulfilled his promise with a big win in the $100,000 Devonport Cup at Spreyton on Wednesday.
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Powercharged, ridden by Devonport-based Turkish-born jockey Ismail Toker, scored by almost a length from the fast-finishing Siorca with front-runner Electric Crimson, backed from $61 into $27, holding on bravely for third.
Blacker was based in Melbourne when he bought Powercharged as a yearling. “He is by Magnus, whose progeny were winning everywhere at the time, and he was the dearest one I could afford - I only had $10,000 in my pocket,” Blacker explained.
Blacker sold shares to a group of clients, mainly Tasmanians, and gave the gelding a few starts in VIctoria “where he ran some good races” before he relocated back to Tasmania and brought Powercharged home with him.
He won his first start in Tasmania at Mowbray in December 2013 and Blacker immediately declared “he’s a real good horse who will one day win a big race.”
Powercharged went into the Devonport Cup after two good runs behind Admiral at weight-for-age and Blacker was confident of success.
“He dropped five kilograms and I thought the 1880 metres would suit him,” the trainer said. It was Blacker’s third Devonport Cup win after Pral D’Or in 1998 and With Decorum in 2010.
“My brother Troy has also won it twice so it’s been a good race for the family,” he said.
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