3 minute read
Longford trainer John Blacker has earned the title of “Cups King” leading into the state’s two biggest staying events with two of his stable stars.
But the talented mentor is hoping to tick one box that is unfilled when he saddles up Swoop Dog and Glass Warrior in the $300,000 Ladbrokes Hobart Cup in Hobart on Sunday.
Glass Warrior is proven at the 2400-metre trip having won the 2021 Launceston Cup and her form of late has been excellent with a win in the Brighton Cup carrying top weight of 59kg and she flashed home from last to finish sixth behind Swoop Dog in the weight-for-age Summer Cup over 2200m at her most recent outing carrying the same weight.
"Glass Warrior had a really good break after her last prep and that has revitalised her and I couldn't be happier with her condition and form going into Sunday's race," John Blacker said.
"She is used to carrying big weights, so she will really appreciate dropping back to the minimum (54kg) and if the rider (Chelsea Baker) can manage to get her off the rail from barrier one and have her within striking distance on the home turn she will be a big winning chance."
Swoop Dog is Tasmania's cups king going into the race having won the Longford Cup on New Year's Day followed by the Devonport Cup 10 days later and he made it three wins in succession by easily winning the weight-for-age Summer Cup over 2200m in Hobart on 22 January.
"Swoop Dog has really come on in leaps and bounds this preparation and that's probably due to him having been given a long spell after his last prep.
"He has answered every challenge we have given him so far and I thought his win in the Summer Cup was his best run this time in and he has come on since that run.
"I gave him a gallop earlier this week and it convinced me he will go into the Hobart Cup at his peak."
Blacker's pair are clearly the best of the Tasmanian horses in the race and Blacker agrees.
"I have never been more confident going into a major cup and hopefully one of mine can win because the Hobart Cup is the only major cup I haven't won."
While Blacker is as confident as any trainer could be, his stumbling blocks are four interstate invaders that have the credentials to take out the Group 3 event.
Ain'tnodeeldun from the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable has been the best-backed runner firming from his opening price of $7 into $4.40 to be on the second line of betting behind the Annabel Neasham-trained Spirit Ridge that won two starts back at Flemington over 2000m.
Spirit Ridge was installed favourite at $3.10 but he has eased to $3.40 as his last win came almost two years after his victory for previous trainer Mark Newnham in the Premier's Cup over 2400m at Eagle Farm in May 2021.
The horse was purchased and imported from the UK in 2020 with the hope of being aimed at the Caulfield and Melbourne cups and he impressed by winning the Summer Cup and January Cup in succession at Randwick in 2020-21.
After a short let-up he went on to win the Premier's Cup at his fifth run back from the spell before his form waned and he was sent to Neasham after finishing last of eight in the McKell Cup at Rosehill in June last year.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable have had a great Tasmanian carnival so far and if Military Mission can snare the Hobart Cup it will be the stable's best result at a Tasmanian Carnival having win the Tasmanian Guineas with Russian Roni and the Strutt Stakes on Friday with Soul Choice.
Military Mission goes into the race on thew back of an eye-catching third behind Chalk Stream and Spirit Ridge in the Australia Day Stakes at Warwick Farm on 23 January.
Dark Dream from the Ben and JD Hayes stable came for the Summer Cup and ran fourth to Glass Warrior and he has remained in the state, but his best form appears to be well behind him.
