PROMISING two-year-old Blackjackhanover broke a frustrating run of minor placings for trainer Campbell Watt _ in more ways than one _ when he led all the way at Mowbray last night.
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Blackjackhanover had been placed at five of his previous seven starts without winning _ a scenario that Watt also experienced with the gelding's half-sister Vickis Ticket.
In 48 starts, Vickis Ticket was placed 12 times, but retired as a maiden.
Now that Blackjackhanover has broken his duck, Watt is hopeful that the son of ill-fated stallion Cardmaster Hanover can prove competitive in the rich Dandy Patch Stakes series.
``He's a consistent little horse and deserves his chance in a good race,'' the trainer said.
Watt bred Blackjackhanover from his mare Ticketoride.
``He's her fourth foal but is the first to win a race,'' the trainer said.
``She had a bit of ability herself and won her first start, but she suffered heart strain and only raced 12 times.''
Watt said that a good front-running drive by Natalee Emery helped Blackjackhanover ($5.70) hold out the heavily backed $1.20 favourite Followthewind by a head.
``She got away with a 33-second quarter, which helped,'' the trainer said.
