Trainer Dan Morton has labelled Low Tide as a horse who could develop into a talented stayer this season. The Blackfriars four year-old resumed racing over 1200m last month and he stretched out to win at 1730m at Ascot on Saturday.
“He’s been frustrating but his work showed us we were heading in the right direction,” Morton said. “It’s good to chalk one up and we’ve earmarked him for much further.”
Low Tide (4g Blackfriars – True Believer by Is It True) chimed in to win the Merrywell Hcp (1730m) in a close finish from Andi’s Boy (Saxon) and Savanarola (Blackfriars). Bred and reared by Scenic Lodge, he was knocked down for $65,000 at the 2012 Perth Magic Millions.
He counts Brisbane Easter Cup winner Majorca as an older half-brother and his dam is a half-sister to Group 1 star Old Comrade.
Scenic Lodge champion Blackfriars has his feature juvenile winner Prentice entered for the G2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) on Friday evening. His spring goal is the G1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, November 1.
Trainer Simon Foster is confident Prentice will make the grade in Melbourne. “We have him where we want him,” Foster said. “His whole preparation has been aimed towards the Victoria Derby.”
Prentice won the G3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in April for owners Dan and Julie Love and Foster also trains their Blackfriars filly Big Caroline. She is being set for a November 1 fixture in the LR Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) at Ascot.
Blackfriars ($790K) has established an early lead over Danehill Express ($531K) in the 2014-15 Sunspeed premiership. He has sired 25 individual winners this season, well ahead of Mungrup Stud pair Danehill Express (15) and Oratorio (14).
Scenic Lodge is standing Blackfriars (Danehill) for a $17,600 (inc gst) service fee.