By Michael Guerin
Trainer Ken Barron admits he doesn’t know whether Black Mach is a victim or a villain but tonight’s $25,000 Garrards National Handicap at Addington could help clarify that.
The big fella goes into what could loosely be termed the first steps on the road to the IRT New Zealand Cup, although whether any who contest tonight’s 2600m standing start end up in the great race is doubtful.
But it is a solid field in a race that carries a great name and Black Mach goes into it in career-best form, winner of three of his last four.
Barron, always a hard judge on his horses, admits there were times when such a record looked beyond Black Mach.
“He is a very unusual horse, he doesn’t want to go but he doesn’t want to stop,” he told HRNZ.
“When he was a young horse we were told he had a very immature throat and maybe that has been part of his problem.
“It might have taken him this long to grow out of that and that could be why he is racing better now.
“Or maybe the penny has finally dropped. In the past he was a bludger, or so we thought.
“He’d go then lose concentration then go again and you have to be at him all the time.
“But whether it is mental maturity or his throat coming right he seems better now.”
Black Mach was so brave winning two weeks ago it is easy to favour him to do the same again tonight in the hands of Barron’s offsider Sam Thornley.
For a small field there is good depth but 2600m standing start handicaps with only seven starters can be tactical.
“I am not sure it is the type of field where they are going too go hard, which would suit him, so he might need to make his own luck again and that is never easy.”
Barron says his best chance of training a winner tonight is actually Jackka Opa (R3, No.2) in the Avon City Ford Mobile Pace.
“He had no luck last week but if he can lead here he is the horse to beat,” he says.
The highlight of the programme is the Trackside Dining Available 30th August Handicap Trot which sees the very in-form Mr Love up against the proven open class performer Aardiebythehill, the latter having looked forward in two recent trials.
Both could end up making the open class races during Cup week as the open trotting ranks continue to be rocked by retirements.
