3 minute read

Gratz Vella has issued a warning to ignore American Time’s Lightning Ridge run, and expects his filly to perform strongly in today’s Black Opal Stakes.

Vella is chasing a second Black Opal, he won the race in 2011 with You’re Canny, and says American Time deserves her chance in the race after an impressive debut win back in January.

“She’s shaping up well and I reckon she’s going to give us a good show,” Vella said.

“You had to watch her head on video to tell you exactly what sort of run she had [in the Lightning Ridge Plate].

“[Jockey] Brendan [Ward], when he come back he said to me’ Gratz forget she went around’.

“Twelve hundred, blinkers on it’s going to suit her. If it’s not this time in, next time in we’re going to have a lot of fun with her.”

Vella kicked off the day in style when 40-1 shot Keep ‘em Guessin’ won the Brema Group Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m).