Inside intel on the Black team

Alister Black travels to Winton tomorrow with four runners for the local meeting on the Central Southland Raceway.

In Race One first starter Donttellarty (Love You) runs for Black. How did he get his name?

“A standing joke when we had Wai Key Wee (trotter) and he was going pretty good, was that I used to tell Paul McEntyre (co-owner)  ‘don’t tell Arty’. When we bought this horse at the sales ($41,000) we didn’t like its name (Perhaps Love). So I suggested we name him Donttellarty. That’s how that came about. It’s a bit of a laugh really. All the syndicate that owns him are  friends of Art Shirleys and they all thought it was a great name. He (Arty) didn’t like it for a start, but he came round,” Black said.

The three year old has had plenty of practice, having been to two trials and five workouts.

On the breeding side his second dam Solar Fire won fourteen, including the New Zealand and Victoria Trotting Derbies, Victoria Oaks and the New Zealand Trotting Championship.

“He’s got a motor, but he’s a bit of a trick and we’re working through a few things. He’s been going to the workouts with just two or three in them and he’s not learning anything. The other day he was probably trotting the best he’s ever trotted. When I came out I eased the plugs out and he just wanted to go way too quick for his legs. I’ve made a couple of gear changes. I’ve left the fixed deafeners on and I’m going at add another set of bell boots. I couldn’t back him with any confidence at all. If he could run top four I’d be rapt.”

South Beach (Downbytheseaside) resumes in Race Three. His three starts have been solid and he gets a nice draw to work with on Thursday.

“He was out of control at his first workout the other day. Normally I won’t take a horse to the races after just one workout but it’s a $15,000 maiden, it’s at my local club, so there’s lots of positives. I’ve taken the Murphy (blind) off. He never raced in one last time but around home he’s got to wear one. I should have taken it off for his workout and I think that was his problem. As long as he doesn’t have to do too much early, he’ll go pretty close I think.”

Last start winner Our Rose Hill (What The Hill) faces a big rise in class in Race Seven.

“We proved a few critics wrong that said she wouldn’t win a race. I haven’t had her too long. She’ll be thrown in the deep end. The owner wants her to go round and if she can run in the top six I’d be pretty happy.”

Rightazz (Always B Miki) looks to be well placed in Race Eight and is in the right grade to be competitive.

“You wouldn’t play cards with him. The other day he was hitting the line good and Georgia (Goodman) did a fantastic job. You don’t know which horse is going to turn up. If he turns up and puts his best foot forward he’ll be winning that race. If you back him top four you’ve got an eighty percent chance of getting a collect.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink