Black Run had not won a race in Australia coming into his spring campaign, but a hat-trick of victories have prompted trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald to raise the bar with the gelding.
The son of Nathaniel is among 22 nominations for this Saturday’s $300,000 Pakenham Cup.
It comes after back-to-back wins over 2400m in restricted grade at Caulfield, which followed victory in a 2000m benchmark 78 at Randwick on November 1, and Annabel Archibald said his form warranted testing the waters in the 2500-metre Listed event.
“I’m not sure what else is going there, so he might be a little bit out of the handicap, but I think 2500 will be ideal and he’s a very genuine horse,” she said.
“Ryan Houston will stick with him. He’s been riding out of his skin and seems to have a nice affinity with this horse.”
Apprentice jockey Houston, who will not be able to utilise his 2kg this Saturday, was aboard for Black Run’s two wins at Caulfield, while English rider Tom Marquand got the job done at Randwick.
Marquand rode Black Run to his maiden win at Goodwood in October 2023, which was the start before his only run at Stakes level, in the Group 3 Prix Noailles (2100m) at Longchamp.
Black Run finished sixth in that 2100m event, a little more than seven lengths winner Calandagan, who has risen to become the world’s premier stayer and late last month became the first overseas-trained horse to win the Japan Cup in two decades.
Black Run was one of three Pakenham Cup entries for the Archibalds, who also have Firm Agreement and Naval College nominated.
A decision on whether Firm Agreement backs up from the Ballarat Cup, in which he finished seventh, will be made closer to acceptance time, while Naval College is also entered for Saturday’s Listed Christmas Cup at Randwick.
Pakenham Cup weights are set to be headed by Smokin’ Romans, while Zipping Classic third and fourth placegetters Etna Rosso and Alenquer are among the other entries, as is South Australian Derby runner-up Statuario.
Also on Saturday’s card is the $1m The Supernova, a 1400-metre slot race which brings together a field of 14, headlined by Group 1 winners Private Eye, Here To Shock and Pinstriped.
