Blackwood sweeps Westspeed Plate

Trainer Fred Kersley attempted to put a lid on long-term goals for Blackwood after the Blackfriars filly swept her rivals aside at Belmont on Saturday.

The runaway victory – she beat Black Cuban (Blackfriars) by 7 lengths – rates among the most impressive by a two year-old filly in Perth this season. The Westspeed Plate (1400m) completed an unbeaten hat-trick for the Oakland Park filly after earlier wins at Ascot & Belmont in April-May.

“I’m surprised by the winning margin,” Kersley said. “I thought she might have lacked fitness but the others may not have been up to the class.”

Blackwood (2f Blackfriars – Karriwood by Tobougg) owns a pedigree that’s part of the folklore at Oakland Park. Third dam Canon Song (Rory’s Jester) won two Melbourne stakes races in 1996 but that was well and truly eclipsed by her half-sister’s son Northerly.

Sunspeed’s greatest galloper won two Cox Plates and a Caulfield Cup for Kersley and Oakland Park owner Neville Duncan. They have retained Blackwood’s yearling half-brother by Rogano.

Blackwood has joined LR Supremacy Stakes winner London Line (Blackfriars) among the leading local fillies this season alongside Mystic Maid (Patronize), Showy Chloe (Alfred Nobel) and Chantski (War Chant).

Friarbird is another Ascot two year-old winner by Blackfriars spelling in readiness for the filly features in spring and summer. She produced a brilliant turn of foot to win on debut and, like the others, her grand-final will be the G3 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) in November.

Scenic Lodge will stand Blackfriars for a $12,000 (plus gst) service fee this year.

Ends