Unbeaten King Of Pop takes out Group 3 Black Opal Stakes
King Of Pop showcased his class with a hard-fought victory in the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes (1200m) on Sunday, March 9 at Canberra.
Trained by Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou and ridden by Zac Lloyd, the promising colt made it three wins from three starts, prevailing in a thrilling battle down the home straight.
Jumping well from barrier four, King Of Pop settled just behind early leader Farcited, who set a strong tempo after winning the Black Opal Preview.
Steel Knight and Nashville Jack were prominent, while Sanctified and Nordic Viking settled further back in the field.
Turning for home, Farcited still had a clear advantage, but King Of Pop was quick to pounce under the urgings of Lloyd.
King Of Pop dug deep to edge ahead in the final strides, scoring by 0.29 lengths at $3.90 odds with the top horse racing bookmakers.
2025 Group 3 Black Opal Stakes Race Replay – King Of Pop
Lloyd, who was riding in the Black Opal for the first time, was thrilled with the performance.
“That leader won the Preview really well, so we knew he could sustain a strong gallop. My bloke was very sharp, though. He executed the race well, jumped well, travelled nicely, and really lifted when it mattered. He’s still learning, but he’s a very nice horse going forward.”
The win gave Gerald Ryan his fourth Black Opal success, adding to his victories with Paint (1996), Lucky Raquie (2014), and Trapeze Artist (2017).
“I think he’s up there with any of them at this stage. He’s only had two starts and is still putting it all together. I’ve always had him down as a Golden Slipper horse, but we’ll have to see if he’s got enough prize money to make the field.”
The $800,000 yearling purchase from Northstead Farm has now won both career starts, with $286,150 in prize money.
Ryan also praised his other runner, Sanctified, who charged home late for third.
“Sanctified was never even coming here until last Saturday, but he worked so well, we thought why not have a crack. He ran huge.”
With the Golden Slipper only two weeks away and having him priced as a $21 chance, connections will now weigh up King Of Pop’s next steps, with Sydney’s premier juvenile races firmly in sight.
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