Triple Strip’s runaway win in the $50,000 Tasmanian Sires Produce at Mowbray on Sunday was a preview of better things to come, according to trainer John Blacker.
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“She’s one of the better two-year-olds I’ve trained,” Blacker said after Craig Newitt guided the Needs Further filly to a 2-¼ length win over Tiesto and Gee Gee Mr Paul.
“She will definitely measure up to the good three-year-old races next season.”
Triple Strip was having her first run since finishing fifth to Tiesto in the Gold Sovereign Stakes 2-½ months ago.
“For any two-year-old to win first-up over 1400m is a big effort,” Blacker said.
“I thought her run in the Gold Sovereign was super, without a lot of luck, and she’s matured in the short time since then.”
Blacker said that Triple Strip would now be spelled before returning to work in August.
“She’ll stay all day so she’s got a very bright future,” the trainer said.
Triple Strip was a heavily-backed favourite, firming from $2.90 to $2.20 in the Ubet fixed-odds market and paying only $1.60 on the tote.
Tiesto was a notable drifter from $2.50 to $3.50.
WINNING BET
Trainer Scott Brunton went within a half head of landing the trifecta in the $50,000 3YO Classic.
Brunton’s promising filly Banca Bet snuck home by a nose from Mandela Effect while the other stablemate Shot Of Irish was just edged out of third by Pateena Arena.
The winner is “a real smart one” according to her trainer, but has been a lot of hard work.
“She’s got plenty of attitude,” Brunton said.
“Her owner Mandy Gunn has done a lot of work at home to settle her down and Mick Guthrie has also spent a lot of time with her.
“For a while I didn’t think she’d get to the races.”
Brunton said that Banca Bet, who has won four of her six starts, was still in her first preparation and overdue for a spell.
“She’s done a terrific job,” the trainer said.
Banca Bet, ridden by Bulent Muhcu, firmed from $6.50 to $5.50 with Ubet but Pateena Arena was clearly the best-backed runner ($7.50 into $3.30).
TRIPLE TREAT
John Blacker made it three wins for the day when Beaufort Lad got up in the last stride to beat stablemate Blaze Forth in the $25,000 Open Classic.
“That was a reward for consistency – he’s a good off-season horse who is always hard to beat over 1400m to 1600m,” Blacker said.
“He’s now won nine races so he’s been good for his connections.”
Blacker said that Beaufort Lad appreciated a drop in weight on his recent starts and “it was also a very good ride (by Craig Newitt).”