Trainer Nigel Blackiston is heading towards Winter Finals day at Flemington with a handy team of horses including Tiny’s Legacy.
The four-year-old will be on a seven-day back-up in Saturday’s $150,000 Listed Winter Championship Final (1600m) after an unplaced run at Caulfield.
Blackiston also has Group One placegetter Desert Jeuney set to run in the Listed All Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) while two-year-old filly Ma Raison will chase her first win in the Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m).
Tiny’s Legacy won a heat of the Winter Championship at Sale earlier this campaign and ran well for fifth in another heat at Flemington last month.
The four-year-old finished sixth to Charmed Harmony at Caulfield over 1400m on Saturday in a race dominated by those on the speed with the winner leading all the way.
Blackiston said Tiny’s Legacy had come through Saturday’s race in fine order and the Winter Championship had always been the gelding’s target.
“It has definitely been the plan this winter to have a crack at the Winter Championship and he’s a winner of one heat and was fifth in another so he’s got the points (to get in the final),” Blackiston said.
“I’m hoping he’ll be a chance.
“It’s over a mile at Flemington, and he’s had two goes at a mile for a win and a placing so hopefully it will be ideal for him.”
While Tiny’s Legacy couldn’t get into the finish on Saturday when beaten 10 lengths, Blackiston still felt he hit the line well.
“They went out hard and no other horse really made any ground, and I thought he ran home nicely,” Blackiston said.
The Winter Championship Final has attracted 30 nominations including last-start Saturday metropolitan winners Alcohol and Amovatio.
Tried And Tired and Henwood, who filled the placings behind Charmed Harmony on Saturday, are also entered.
