Black Piranha To Strike
- Thursday, 02 December 2010 06:59
Sydney trainer Con Karakatsanis says dual Stradbroke Handicap winner Black Piranha can regain his best form in the Group One Kingston Town Classic at Ascot.
Karakatsanis said the seven-year-old, who is unplaced in six runs this campaign, would appreciate the extra distance of Saturday's Perth feature after becoming a victim of a slow pace last start in the Railway Stakes (1600m).
Karakatsanis told Radio Sport 927 Black Piranha needed a genuine pace in his races to fire and if he got it in the Kingston Town (1800m) he could post his first win beyond 1500 metres.
"I was actually quite happy with his run (12th in the Railway) but the race wasn't run to suit him at any stage," Karakatsanis said.
"It makes it too hard to make up ten lengths on a slowly run pace with them running home with quick sectionals."
Karakatsanis said Black Piranha had come through the Railway in great order.
"He has put on about 10 kilos since the Railway which is quite pleasing," Karakatsanis said.
"He's done very well and I can't fault his work.
"He is rock hard fit and he is probably coming into this race a lot better than he did going into the Railway.
"The flight over was fine but the real hot weather leading into the Railway probably knocked him around a little bit."
Karakatsanis said Black Piranha should relish the 1800 metres and 2000 metres was potentially his best distance.
"His run at the other day showed me that he was a horse looking for that little bit of extra ground," Karakatsanis said.
"We planned this (race) two or three months ago but we haven't had a lot of luck along the way.
"He deserves to win one over the carnival and he's drawn perfectly (in barrier five) on Saturday.
Karakatsanis said Black Piranha would be ridden closer in the Kingston Town than he was in the Railway when Daniel Ganderton had to ease him back to avoid getting trapped out from a wide barrier.
"Daniel had no real option but to keep going back so he could slot in and he ended up back last in a slowly run race," Karakatsanis said.
"If he jumps well on Saturday he will probably be midfield and hopefully they can run along for him and he can get a bit of luck."
