Move on in Blaze of glory
UNDERRATED sprinter Blaze Forth could have his next start interstate following an impressive win in an open handicap in Launceston on Wednesday night.
The John Blacker-trained gelding powered home late to nab Fragment and race favourite Life on the Wire and grab victory in the shadows of the post in the Drummond Golf Open Handicap over 1200m.
It was the six-year-old’s second win this preparation from nine starts since he returned to racing in November last year.
He has also managed three minor placings and has finished no further back that fifth.
As a winner of 11 of his 44 starts, Blacker says he has earned a trip across the water.
“I reckon there’s a decent race for him in Victoria and at a Saturday metropolitan meeting,” Blacker said.
“He has been a model of consistency his past two prep- arations and this time in he is stronger and is racing better than ever.
“There aren’t many options for him here in Tassie right at the minute so we’ll look for some suitable assignments in Melbourne and head him that way.”
Blacker will take Settler’s Stone, part-owned by this writer, to Melbourne in a fortnight to contest a 2000m race at Caulfield before heading to the Warrnambool Cup on May 2.
“Settler’s Stone has pulled up really well from his second in the St Leger so he’ll head over to Melbourne in great order and ready to win,” Blacker said.
“I was looking at a race at Bendigo next week, but I think the Caulfield race will be more suitable as a lead-up to the Warrnambool Cup.”
The Scott Brunton-trained Hellova Street will race at the same meeting in the Anniversary Cup over 1400m and his talented three-year-old filly Lady Pluck will contest an 1100m 3YO fillies’ race at the meeting. THE Sires Produce Stakes for two-year-olds is the feature race on the card in Launceston next Wednesday with only six juveniles nominated for the $50,000 race over 1400m.
Last Wednesday night’s 2YO maiden winner Fitzwilliam, from the Stuart Gandy stable, scored untouched by more than 10 lengths and will probably start favourite in the Sires ahead of the Gary White-trained Heaven’s Bonus, who impressed in winning a maiden 2YO in Launceston two weeks ago.
The Barry Campbelltrained Strike Celebration looks well placed, as does Gee Gees Darl, who has been placed in multiple 2YO features since winning her maiden on debut in Hobart.
Fitzwilliam’s stablemate Gee Gee Double Hot was second to him on Wednesday night, which was a much improved effort from the filly.
The Terry Evans-trained Audrey will make up the field of six if he accepts.
Unlike last Wednesday night’s meeting, the forthcoming meeting is light on for nominations in most races, but that is commonplace at this time of the season.