Three of Sydney’s big-name trainers will be out to win Canberra’s flagship race for the first time on Sunday with leading chances in the $250,000 Black Opal Stakes.
Gai Waterhouse, Peter Snowden and John O’Shea have never trained a Black Opal winner but each have reason for optimism heading into this year’s Listed 1200m feature with Later Gator, Epaulette and Faustus respectively.
Epaulette and Later Gator were $4 equal favourites on the eve of the race with Faustus at $4.40 with TAB Sportsbet.
Snowden is head trainer in Australia for Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley operation and two-year-old Epaulette could stamp himself as the stable’s leading Golden Slipper contender if he runs a big race first-up on Sunday.
Epaulette is a half-brother to multiple Group One winner Helmet who left Australia along with stablemate Sepoy for Dubai on Friday night.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy is excited about seeing what Epaulette can produce in the Black Opal after impressing with a debut win on Boxing Day at Rosehill.
“He’s coming off a nice trial as well where I was pretty pleased with him and so was Pete,” McEvoy said.
“The Black Opal is a nice race for him to kick off in and to see what he’s got in store.”
Epaulette, Faustus and Later Gator are all in the top 15 in betting for the Golden Slipper so the Black Opal is expected to provide a good pointer to feature juvenile races later in the Sydney autumn.
“It’s going to be a good quality race,” McEvoy said.
“Just looking at it on paper, whatever wins would have to be somewhere around the mark on Slipper day. It looks a good renewal of the race (Black Opal).”
While impressed with what Epaulette had shown so far, McEvoy said it was too early to be making predictions about him as a genuine Slipper contender.
“He’s only had one run for one win but I think he’s a fairly nice horse,” the jockey said.
“He’s got a nice big shape about him and he’s pretty good to handle on the ground and when you are on his back.
“He’s only had the one start so far so I won’t get carried away but it wouldn’t surprise me if he keeps improving as the season goes on.”
For the first time, the Black Opal meeting will also feature the running of the $200,000 Canberra Cup (2000m) after the club switched the Cup from the spring.
AAP TURF
