Canberra racing boss Andrew Clark backed the status of the Black Opal Stakes to continue growing as its winners keep on winning.
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The two most recent Black Opal Stakes champions, Pin Sec and Encryption, will both race in group 1s at Rosehill on Saturday.
If Pin Sec wins the $3.5 million Golden Slipper (1200 metres) and Encryption takes out the Galaxy (1100 metres) it means six of the past eight Black Opal Stakes winners will have won at the group 1 level.
Pin Sec ($15) is trying to become only the second horse to win the Black Opal Stakes and Golden Slipper winner double and follow in the wake of Catbird in 1999.
"I think she's a leading chance in the Slipper that really speaks for the quality of the Black Opal," Clark said.
"She’s $15 to win which puts her right in the market to become the second horse in history to achieve the double.
"The last seven runnings of the Black Opal before this year, four horses have gone on to win group 1 races. It’s a quality race that attracts quality horses.
"If they keep winning it's only going to help us attract quality horses, boost the rating of the race and help boost the profile."
Canberra will host its only Saturday meeting of the year this week after accommodating ACT trainers competing for the Albury Cup on Friday but it ended up getting postponed due to wet weather.
Kurt Goldman's Black Wand ($6.50) is the favourite in the $50,000 Federal at Thoroughbred Park ahead of Keith Dryden's Heaven on Earth ($8) and Richard Clarke's Irish Lucy ($8).
Matt Dale has Whisky'n'diamonds ($10) running, while fellow Canberra trainer Doug Gorell has Imitation Game ($14) and Nick Olive has roughie Stormborn Angel ($19).
SCORSE'S SAUCE
CANBERRA - JOHN SCORSE
Best bet
Race 7 No. 11 Belfast Bella
Looks well placed third up, it will be suited this distance on her home track, she will take a power of beating here.
Best Roughie
Race 2 No. 6 Luxurial
Resuming here but raced very well last preparation, will be suited by a hot speed and can finish strongly here.
Race 1
Tips: 1 Love Me Broke, 5 Colonel Panaga, 11 Scary Spice, 3 Luminescent
Love Me Broke has trialled brilliantly for debut effort, beautifully bred and will take a power of beating. Colonel
Panaga resuming from long break but has raced well fresh, beautifully drawn for his racing style. Scary Spice finished powerfully at Wagga last time, back in trip a query. Luminescent resuming from long break has trialled well.
Race 2
Tips: 6 Luxurial, 1 Feel the Knight, 4 The Unknown Factor, 2 Miss Antares
Luxurial is lightly raced and resuming here but does race well fresh, has good claims here. Feel the
Knight super impressive only start, draw a concern but don’t take lightly. The Unknown Factor is race fit and loves this track and distance, chance on his best behaviour. Miss Antares next best.
Race 3
Tips: 2 Major Time, 6 Brunela, 4 Kyushu, 3 Vermont
Major Time close up in all runs to date, put the writing on the wall last time and hard to beat from the inside draw. Brunela Lightly raced but showing good potential, just behind the top pick last time and will run well again. Kyushu only start placed this track and trip don’t take lightly from ideal gate. Vermont next best.
Race 4
Tips: 6 Visa Vis, 3 Gunga Din, 8 Lord Desanimaux, 1 Cass'n'Black
Visa Vis has been racing consistently and looking for this trip, drawn to get a few favours here. Gunga Din broke through at third race start in impressive fashion, is on the improve. Lord Desanimaux Raced on the speed and boxed on strongly at Goulburn will do likewise here. Cass’n’Black next best.
Race 5
Tips: 8 Joan Constance, 9 Romeo Vella, 12 Dangerous Breeding, 6 Exaggerate
Joan Constance super impressive first up at Sapphire Coast, she can go on with it here. Romeo Vella in great form this preparation but stepping back in distance, don’t take lightly. Dangerous Breeding in great form this track and trip, forgive last start will look the winner somewhere. Exaggerate the next best.
Race 6
Tips: Black Wand much-improved effort last time at Goulburn well placed this class despite big weight. Irish Lucy solid effort in the same race as top pick last time can make good improvement here. Heaven on Earth is in great form this preparation and looks well placed again. Upper House next best.
Race 7
Tips: 11 Belfast Bella, 4 Subban, 7 Dream Builder, 14 Bella Deluxe
Belfast Bella should be at her peak third up from a spell, unsuited last two, can break back here. Subban good performance first up and not disgraced last time, nice horse on the way up. Dream Builder well placed third run back this preparation can run well on his favourite track. Bella Deluxe good claims third run back.
