Blackiston’s faith all Suavito needs
STAR mare Suavito will try to complete a grand slam of feature Caulfield weight-forage 1400m races at her next two starts despite a vote of no confidence from champion jockey Damien Oliver.
Suavito returns to racing in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes and in a fortnight will contest the Group 1 Memsie Stakes.
Trainer Nigel Blackiston said chasing the two weightfor-age races early in the spring was an obvious move, given the mare’s record.
Suavito has two Group 1 wins – the 2015 Futurity Stakes and 2016 Orr Stakes – at Caulfield over 1400m.
She finished third in this year’s Futurity Stakes.
Suavito, rated a $4.60 chance with UBET last night, has started seven times over 1400m at Caulfield for four wins, a second and two thirds.
Blackiston wasn’t concerned Oliver had rejected the mount after partnering Suavito in an indifferent jump-out last Friday.
Oliver preferred to ride the Danny O’Brien-trained Miss Rose De Lago ($7.50).
“She always races like that at her second jump-out back from a spell,” Blackiston said.
“Her first jump-out was good but she just doesn’t try in the second one, so I’m not concerned.
Michael Walker will ride Suavito today. He rode the mare early in her career for a third and a first at Caulfield.
“I have a great rapport with Michael. I have a tremendous respect for his ability as a jockey,” Blackiston said.
Suavito had been nominated for the Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 22.
“If she’s going well and winning races then you’d look at rolling the dice and running her,” Blackiston said.
Oliver also turned down the ride on Lord Of The Sky, on whom he won the Sir John Monash Stakes last start, to partner Miss Rose De Lago.
Former Tasmanian cult horse The Cleaner is having his first run for Victorian trainer Peter Gelagotis in the Lawrence Stakes.
Gelagotis said the horse, now a nine-year-old, was fit and ready.
His trials have been superb, his coat is gleaming and his joints are sound, he said.