Blackbird Power is Menangle-bound after an impressive run in taking out the $10,000 AGL Energy Club Menangle Where Horses Fly heat at Tamworth Paceway on Friday night.
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Sydney-based reinsman Jimmy Brown had made the trip to Tamworth to contest the Indigenous Driver’s series but accepted the outside drive for trainer Gavin Kelly, which proved to be a good combination.
“It’s been a worthwhile trip,” said Kelly, who hails from the little town of Tapitallee on the south coast near Nowra.
Brown said: “I was lucky to pick up the drive and it was credit to Gavin.
“He has been supporting the Indigenous series and raced the horse at Wagga and Parkes and then turned up here at Tamworth, which was even better.”
Blackbird Power finished second in both heats of the Indigenous series races at Wagga and Parkes before Kelly decided to change direction with his pacer’s race selection, and will now finish off his working holiday with a spot in the $20,000 final at Menangle next Sunday.
“It’s always good to get a winner and it started the night off good,” Brown said. “Hopefully we will finish the night off good.
“I went four wide at the bell. I was a bit worried but I saw him race three wide for the last lap at Parkes. He is a nice horse.
“I thought I would get going at the 600 mark and to the horse’s credit he kept going from there.”
Olympic Power (Anthony Varga) led the field and dictated the pace out in front while Blackbird Power, who commenced from the eight barrier, raced four back in the outside running line.
Blackbird Power swooped around the field before having a contest with Derringer (Brad Elder) rounding the final turn before coming away for a 5.4 metre win over Derringer, with Right On With It (Dean Chapple) another 26.4 metres away third.
“That is my first winner at Tamworth and it will always be remembered,” Brown said.
Blackbird Power covered the 1609m with a mile race of 1min.58.7sec and the quarters were run in 28.5sec, 32.4sec, 29.6sec and 28.2 sec on a rain-effected track.
Hunter Valley pacer Whata Dilemma will also be heading to Menangle for the the final after taking out the second heat of the AGL Energy Club Menangle Country Series.