Black gunning for first Supremacy

When it comes to Sunday’s $45,000 Group Two Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes on Diamonds Day at Ascot Park, Branxholme harness racing trainer Alister Black is clear about the enormity of the challenge. His task will be to beat boom pacer Ohoka Connor (Sunshine Beach) but he’s also aware of the level of talent in his pacer Captain Tom (Captaintreacherous).

“It’s got Group Two status and I think every trainer in Southland wants to win it. There are probably five horses in with a chance. Ohoka Connor is a very very nice horse but so is my fella and we’ll find out who’s best when they cross the line on Sunday,” Black said.

The race is expected to be very tactical with seven horses running off the front line and Captain Tom the only horse on the second row.

“The draw is what it is and it’s just going to come down to how the race is run. Generally when the moneys up they tend to want to run a bit so Brad (Williamson) will just have to pick and choose when he wants to go.”

In the last ten years Black has started five pacers in the Supremacy, Idealism (American Ideal) being the most successful running third in 2021.

“I think I’ve done everything I can to have him cherry ripe. It’s now in the lap of the gods.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink