Lightly raced filly BLANCO CARA charged into Qld OAKS contention with a dominant maiden victory at Newcastle Thursday. After sitting 3 deep with cover throughout the 1850m journey, the half sister to DERBY winner TAVAGO travelled beautifully into the race on the turn before surging away to win by more than three lengths.
“I’ve always liked this filly so it was great to see her break through so stylishly,” said trainer John Thompson (pictured).
“We’ve had a very frustrating autumn with her constantly striking affected tracks which she’s clearly uncomfortable on. Back on a firmer track she really showed what she’s capable of so we’ll have to give serious consideration to a Qld campaign.”
That was a view echoed by jockey Blake Shinn who thinks BLANCO CARA stays well. The daughter of CAPE BLANCO had debuted with an eye catching third at Warwick Farm last spring so was immediately put aside with OAKS aspirations. Sydney’s soaked autumn tracks derailed that target but providing she comes through this run intact, may start in the Gold Coast Bracelet.
This was PROVEN THOROUGHBREDS’ 12th winner in 2017 and ends an irritating run of placings and failures on wet tracks.