Knight Shines for Blackfriars

Shining Knight has landed his third black-type victory for owner-breeders Bob and Sandra Peters this season with a well-timed victory in the G3 Belmont Sprint (1400m).

The Blackfriars gelding settled behind front-runners Fuchsia Bandana and Dawn Approach before launching a powerful finish in the final furlong.  Saturday’s half-length victory increased his earnings to $634,750 following summer carnival victories in the G3 Colonel Reeves Stakes and LR Crawford Stakes.

“He’s doing a great job for us and that race was run to suit with the other two going strong in front,” Peters said.  “He’s a big, strong horse and the 59kg wasn’t a worry.”

Scenic Lodge champion Blackfriars got the Belmont Sprint winner from 2002 Bolton Sprint winner Cool Business (Key Business).  The mare died in March 2011 but her Ascot winning daughter Dreamalong (Southern Image) will continue the line for Scenic Lodge owner David Smith.  She will be covered by Blackfriars this year to produce a three-quarter relation to Shining Knight.

Peters indicated Shining Knight will step up in distance when tackling the G3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) at Belmont on Saturday week, June 13.

Blackfriars has a Group 1 in sight this weekend when Black Heart Bart contests the $2 million Stradbroke Hcp (1400m) at Doomben.  He is coming off a string of wins in Perth and an unlucky last-start fourth in the G1 Goodwood in Adelaide.

The TAB has Black Heart Bart on the second line of markets at $6 behind $5 favourite Lumosty.

Blackfriars (Danehill) will stand for a $13,200 (inc gst) service fee at Scenic Lodge this year.  He’s already home for a fifth Sunspeed sires’ title in a row and a Stradbroke victory would send him through $5 million in prizemoney this season.