Dartington's Cup Chances Boosted by St. Leger Win

Monday, 17 February 2003 00:00

Underrated Tasmanian mare Dartington gained ballot-free entry into next week’s AAMI Launceston Cup when she made it back-to-back victories in the weight-for-age St. Leger Stakes (2100m) in Launceston last Sunday.

The John Blacker-trained mare won the race last year and went on to finish a luckless fifth in last year’s AAMI Launceston Cup.

Dartington was ridden superbly by in-form jockey Jodi Borrett who had the mare handily placed throughout the race and when let down at the top of the home straight, she powered home to defeat stablemate Undertake and Strait Dash.

The mare went into last Sunday’s St. Leger fresh from an encouraging sixth in the AAMI Hobart Cup at Elwick on February 10.

Dartington’s trainer is supremely confident his charge has what it takes to give him his first success in an AAMI Launceston Cup.

"My mare ran a great race in the AAMI Hobart Cup to be the second Tasmanian horse home in the race and given her recent form, I rate her a big chance to win the AAMI Launceston Cup," Blacker said.

Final acceptances for the AAMI Launceston Cup are on Friday at 9am and the official barrier draw will take place in the Launceston City Mall at noon.

Media Release - AAMI Launceston Cup