Consistent sprinter Blackie Boy had not won since April but it was worth the wait for the connections when he powered to victory in the Ladbrokes Odd Boost Final (318m) at Dawson Park on Thursday.
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Blackie Boy had shown plenty of talent in recent second-placed finishes at Dubbo and Coonabarabran but he went one better during one of Thursday’s feature races.
“It’s been a long time coming and a work in progress but he’s a well-handled dog,” trainer Paul Wasson said.
“There was three or four seconds in a row so he’d been knocking on the door and we’re having fun with him.”
The final shaped as an open event and Milko’s Magic started as a $3.70 favourite from box one while Jeanie, who was one of the more impressive heat winners last week, was a $4.60 chance from box four.
But it was Klemmer ($16.40) and Blackie Boy ($7.20) who began best and once the field hit the back straight it was Wasson’s runner who got to the lead.
Despite going a bit wide on the final turn, Blackie Boy was in control and went on to win by one-and-three-quarter lengths from the fast finishing King Taro ($5.90) while Klemmer held on for third.
“With him you’re always confident even though he got box five and it was a good field but he’s an honest dog who can begin so the box wasn’t a worry and we got a little luck to go our way,” Wasson said, before saying he bought Blackie Boy from Broken Hill earlier this year after he recorded six wins from 10 starts on non-TAB tracks.
“We brought him over here and his first run was pretty ordinary so we gave him some time off and then he came back last week and ran second and then came out today and got the job done.”
Wasson’s win was followed by the second win at the track in as many weeks for trainer Dennis Barnes and Nangar Gem.
Both Barnes’ Nangar Gem and Nangar Bear won their respective heats last week but it was the latter who scored a commanding win in the Ladbrokes Live Play Final (516m).
The victory, in an even field, was a straightforward one as Nangar Bear ($1.70) jumped well, powered to the lead and never looked back.
The win, much to the delight of Barnes’ grandchildren Jock and Archie Spratt, was a massive 10-and-a-half length one with Sheza Fusion ($57.30) a surprise in second while Ellie May ($5) was third.
“We were just a little worried about the four coming across him but he came out good today and we’re very happy with him,” Barnes’ wife Ann said.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
