On an appropriately wet afternoon, promising filly THE BLACK CLOUD took a significant step forward in her short career when annexing a second successive victory at the Randwick Kensington track Wednesday.
Following a decisive debut at Gosford, the SHAMUS AWARD filly was well found by the market and sent to the post an odds-on chance with the Snowden-trained FIRE STAR considered the only serious rival.
And so it turned out with the pair coming 3 lengths clear of the field to fight out the 1100m 3 & 4 year old BM64 event.
Not to be denied, THE BLACK CLOUD gave a great kick when challenged by her male opponent to draw clear.
The Black Cloud wins and wins well for punters in the last!@ProvenTbreds @PrideRacing pic.twitter.com/vUn7Lm4nmG
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 17, 2024
“Once threatened by the Snowden horse and I gave her a shake up, I got a good response,” said rider Jay Ford post-race.
“She’s a fast horse who’s going to be better on top of the ground but she got through it today. Fast horses like fast decks and her best is going to be in 6 to 12 months time.”
Very few racehorses progress from maiden wins to beating better credentialled opposition at their very next start. So, the signs are very positive for this filly. Trainer Joe Pride will monitor her conduct in coming days to determine whether her preparation continues or returns to the paddock.
THE BLACK CLOUD was a $100,000 yearling from Golden Grove’s draft at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
She becomes Proven’s 4th winner in 2024 after an unprecedented previous year. Long may it continue!
