Just one month into the new Tasmanian racing season and the trainers’ premiership is already developing a familiar look, with last season’s leading stables again setting the early pace.
Reigning premier trainer John Blacker finished the opening month with six winners to sit on top of the standings, two clear of Barry Campbell, who has made another strong start to the season.
Both trainers added to their tallies at Spreyton, with Blacker preparing a double and Campbell going one better with a treble.
Blacker struck with Stardarmus, who scored over 1350 metres, before Al Maximus rounded out the meeting by taking the final race on the program.
Campbell enjoyed an even bigger afternoon, saddling up three winners. Hartman opened the account before Houlihan proved too sharp for his rivals in the Class 1 over 1009 metres, while Tuskegee completed the treble with victory in the Open Handicap.
The double was particularly timely for Blacker, who is currently recovering from heart surgery.
While sidelined, the premiership-winning trainer is relying heavily on his team to keep his sizeable operation running smoothly across his Longford, Brighton and Spreyton stables.
After Blacker claimed last season’s trainers’ premiership ahead of Campbell, the early standings suggest the pair could once again play major roles in deciding this season’s title.
Attention now turns to next Wednesday’s meeting at Spreyton, where the $50,000 Golden Mile will headline the program.
Adding further significance to the feature, the winner will secure a Golden Ticket into the Devonport Cup in January, providing an early opportunity for connections to lock away a place in one of the highlights of Tasmania’s summer racing calendar.
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