Trainer John Blacker has warned that his highly-rated filly Il Regalo won’t be at her peak for Wednesday night’s $30,000 Alfa Bowl at Mowbray but he still expects her to be hard to beat.
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Il Regalo made it two wins from two starts when she scored in Hobart on November 27.
“We gave her 12 days in the paddock after that run then brought her back,” Blacker said.
“She’s ready to go but she won’t be 100 per cent fit.
“We want to target the two big races over the Hobart and Launceston cup carnivals then she’ll go back to the paddock.”
The races Blacker has in his sights are the $100,000 Elwick Stakes on February 5 and $100,000 Gold Sovereign Stakes at Mowbray on February 22.
“She’s a very talented filly and very professional,” the trainer said.
“There’s a bit of pace drawn around her on Wednesday night so I’d expect her to be running fourth or fifth after they’ve gone 300 metres and get a nice sit on them.”
Blacker’s Devonport Cup-winning partner Ismail Toker rode Il Regalo when she won on debut but Siggy Carr took over last start and will be in the saddle again.
The Needs Further filly was bred by one of Blacker’s long-time stable clients Max Pearce who retained ownership rather than offering her at the sales.
Although the Alfa Bowl has attracted only eight acceptors it’s a handy lineup.
Five of the runners have won, another was placed behind Il Regalo at its only run and the other two are first-starters.
Trainer Barry Campbell will be chasing his fourth win in the past five years with the filly Derasa.
Campbell won with Grand Tycoon in 2013, Admiral in 2014 and Siorca in 2015.
As the man who trained the mighty Alfa during his unbeaten two-year-old season in Tasmania, Campbell targets the race every year.
Blacker has several other good chances on Wednesday night’s program including Westwood in the Roy and Dora Coghlan Memorial and Mulley’s Idol in the Jack Chambers 3YO.
“Westwood will be suited back at Mowbray (after racing at Spreyton),” the trainer said.
“He has a top jockey and a good draw so I’d expect him to be ridden a tad further forward than at previous starts.
“Mulley’s Idol is a well bred horse and very exciting galloper.
“He’s freshened up really good since his last-start win and should be hard to beat again.”
Trainer Wayne Curran deserves a change of luck when he saddles up Silver Reset in the Ray Trinder Memorial.
Silver Reset has been runner-up at four starts since a spell and each time has been beaten by less than a length.
Apprentice Chris Graham has ridden him every time.
