Veteran pacer Black Centurian will have his fourth and probably final tilt at the $30,000 Devonport Cup on Sunday night.
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The eight-year-old has been runner-up for the past two years but Spreyton trainer-driver Steve Davis concedes that time is running out to win it.
“He is getting a bit of age on him now and this is probably his last throw of the dice,” Davis said.
“But he’s probably going just as good as he was last year and if he runs as well as he did in the Scottsdale Cup (when second off 30m) he’d have to be hard to beat.”
After being unplaced in the 2015 Devonport Cup, Black Centurian ran second to Outback Mach in 2016 and second to Pachacuti last year.
He is getting a bit of age on him now and this is probably his last throw of the dice
- Trainer Steve Davis
“It’s an even field this year but there are no stand-outs like last year when Pachacuti was a good thing, really,” Davis said.
“In my horse’s favour is that he’ll get away well (from the stand) and, if he doesn’t lead, he’ll definitely be in the first two or three.
“He usually flies out and most of his real good runs have been in stands.
“It’s a big advantage when they can get away and be up amongst them without doing any work.”
Davis also has Modern Ruler engaged on Sunday night and, as he is a part-owner of that horse, was required to drive him and not Black Centurian.
As a result, Paul Hill will drive Black Centurian for the first time.
“I tried nearly everyone who has driven him regularly since I’ve had him and no-one was available,” Davis explained.
“So I looked for someone who gets them away good and drives well in front and Paul is a master at doing that.”
The Devonport Cup isn’t the only major race in which Black Centurian has been a regular bridesmaid.
He’s also finished second in the past three Scottsdale Cups, the Danbury Park Cup and two NWTLHA Cups.
However he’s also had 15 career wins including the Carrick, Ulverstone and St Marys Cups and a heat of the Easter Cup for $122,000 in stakes.
The Devonport Harness Racing Club has planned a big weekend starting with the calcutta in the Thorate Bar on Friday night.
It will also be participating in the statewide fashions on the field promotion.
All details for the meeting are on the club’s Facebook page.