3 minute read

Swoop Dog reings supreme in Summer Cup.

Former star three-year-old Swoop Dog could be Tasmania's best chance of keeping the lion's share of the $300,000 Ladbrokes Hobart Cup prize money in the state following another impressive performance in Hobart last Sunday.

Swoop Dog hit the front 350 metres from home in the weight-for-age Tasmanian Bloodstock Summer Cup (2200m) and defied the opposition to run him down, scoring by 1-1/4 lengths from Rising Light and race leader I'm So Cool, with sole interstate invader Dark Dream over a length away fourth.

Trainer John Blacker said the gelding has never raced better and deserved his new crown of Tasmanian cups king, having won the Longford Cup and Devonport Cup at his two previous outings.

"He lost his way a bit last season because we changed direction a couple of times to see where he fitted, but this time in we have had a clear view of where we want to go.

"He has been able to dominate at 1800m and now 2200m, so we will push on to the Hobart Cup and hopefully to the Launceston Cup," Blacker said.

Siggy Carr had Swoop Dog settled just off the speed set by outsider I'm So Cool ($61) with Rising Light ($16) in second spot and travelling sweetly for apprentice Erica Byrne Burke.

I'm So Cool was highballing it in front and led by six lengths before Carr opted to light up her charge at the 600m peg.

Within a blink of an eye Swoop Dog had charged to the lead and despite determined challenges in the home straight, the Devonport Cup winner proved too strong and won convincingly from Rising Light with I'm So Cool sticking to his task to grab third ahead of Dark Dream from the Ben and JD Hayes stable.

Blacker also saddled up Brighton Cup winner Glass Warrior that settled last and was still at the rear turning for home, but she rattled home late to finish sixth.

"I expected Glass Warrior to race a lot closer today, but circumstances obviously prevented that, but I was very happy with how she hit the line."

The former Launceston Cup winner (2021) clocked the best sectional times over the final 800 metres and her last 200m was run in 11.6 seconds, which was a second quicker than the winner.

Outsider Miami Sun caused a boilover in the inaugural running of The Blackflash, a 1100-metre event placed on the calendar to honour past champion Geegees Blackflash.

Miami Sun started a $23 outsider in the field of nine but made some of the more fancied sprinters look mediocre.

Apprentice Brooke Hanham had Miami Sun settled last but always travelling comfortably.

When Bold Instinct ($3.20) swept past the leader Fear the Sting ($2.50 fav) 200m out he looked home, but that's when Miami Sun unleashed a powerful finishing burst and went on to defeat Bold Instinct by over a length.