Suavito may have won the Ladbrokes Orr Stakes first-up, but trainer Nigel Blackiston is still confident that his star mare will produce an improved performance when she contests the 2016 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.
Suavito can make it two wins from as many starts this preparation when he contests the 2016 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield this weekend. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
An operation to remove a bone chip from her knee meant that Suavito had to miss the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival due to injury, but she capped off an outstanding training performance from Blackiston when she upstaged a star-studded field to win the Group 1 Ladbrokes Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 13.
Blackiston told Racing Ahead that Suavito has taken plenty of benefit out of her Orr Stakes and he expects her to be even better when she defends her title in the 2016 Futurity Stakes this weekend.
“She has come through very well,” Blackiston said.
“She has come back bigger and stronger than I have ever seen her this preparation.
“There is certainly a lot of room for improvement and we haven’t fully wound her up yet and she will have good improvement going forward.
“She tries every time she goes around and she has never put in a bad run.
“At this elite level you need all the luck, we drew a nice barrier and it all fell into place.
“There will be many hard luck stories again on Saturday and we hope we aren’t one of them.
“I am very pleased with her and all we know is a little bit of luck or not bad luck.”
Suavito has been included in the nominations for the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) and Blackiston confirmed that the daughter of Thorn Park will press on to the $1.5 million event at Flemington on March 12.
Blackiston is confident that Suavito will be able to make the jump from 1400 metres to 2000 metres for the Australian Cup and he pointed to the fact that he five-year-old won the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes in her only previous start over 2000 metres.
“She has only had one go at the 2000 previously when she won the Matriarch Stakes,” Blackiston said.
“The plan was always to give her the two 1400s after the two months off and then step up to 2000 metres afterwards.
“It gives us options on where to go afterwards.”
Suavito is currently available at 2016 Futurity Stakes odds of $5.50 with Ladbrokes and he is on the second line of betting behind Turn Me Loose ($2.80).
