Black Jag racing for new trainer
Trevor Whittington will saddle new stable recruit Black Jag for the first time at Doomben where he hopes the eight-year-old can regain winning form.
Black Jag began his career in Queensland with Peter Hulbert before he was sent to Chris Waller in Sydney four years ago.
The gelding more than held his own in the south and has now won 10 races and more than $600,000 prize money.
Black Jag had his final run for Waller when third at Eagle Farm in a 2200m-open handicap last Saturday week and was then transferred to Trevor Whittington on the Gold Coast.
Whittington said Black Jag had settled in well and he expected him to run accordingly in the Coke Hcp (2000m) at Doomben.
“Mark Timms who heads the syndicate has another horse with me and decided it was time Black Jag headed north full time,” Whittington said.
“He is starting to struggle a bit in Sydney and it was felt he would be better suited here.”
Whittington said there were plenty of races in Queensland for Black Jag in the 2000 to 2200m range.
“He is honest and while he doesn’t want it too heavy he can handle softish tracks. If he doesn’t measure up here he will probably be retired,” he said.
Whittington said Black Jag had earned his 59kg in Saturday’s race and he had booked in-form apprentice Josh Oliver who claims three kilograms.
“He doesn’t look harshly treated on his best form with 56kg after the claim,” Whittington said.
Whittington will also have recent Ipswich winner Gracefully Chic in the Cascade Three-Year-Old Hcp (1110m) with Jason Taylor to ride.
The trainer has a big opinion of the filly but is worried by her wide barrier (13) on Saturday.
A former jockey in New Zealand, Whittington only has a small team in his Gold Coast stable but has a reputation for producing smart horses including the stakes winning staying mare Femina Fashion and smart sprinter Golden Fox.