A start in next Saturday’s Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) is in the offing for Ears Back, but the talented mare must overcome recent barrier woes in her lead-up run at Ashburton on Thursday to make the $350,000 target.
A six-year-old by Jakkalberry, Ears Back has seven wins to her name, including this season’s Timaru Cup (1600m). She was among the favoured runners in the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1400m) in February but uncharacteristically failed to load and was late-scratched.
The mare returned to Wingatui last month and finished sixth in the Group 3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m), but it was a sense of déjà vu for connections in the Group 3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton as she refused to enter and was ruled out of the race.
Returning to the jump-outs, Ears Back had no issues at the gates and was entered for Ashburton’s midweek meeting, where she will carry top weight under Billy Jacobson in the Greg Jones Memorial (1300m).
“We had to go to a jump-out and put a blindfold on her, and she walked straight in,” Blackadder said. “Here’s hoping for Thursday.
“She’s had some nice fast work down the beach to keep her up to the mark, we’re targeting the Southern Alps and she needed a run before then.”
Blackadder’s Rangiora stable will have a further four representatives assured of a start at the meeting, including Reverberations returning from a spell. The son of Real Impact has performed consistently for Blackadder since joining the stable last winter but was sent for a spell after the West Coast circuit.
“He’s done a lot of slow work in the build-up this time, he’s quite a fine horse and he’s filled out nicely, he’s come back really well,” he said.
Reverberations will take his place in the Agraforum Growing Innovation (1600m), while three-year-old filly Charlotte Jane contests the McIntosh Catering (1400m), her second appearance to the races after finishing fourth on debut.
“I was very happy with her there, she’s trained on very well and she’s got a nice draw,” Blackadder said.
“I haven’t had much to do with Toni (Davies, apprentice jockey) before, but I’ve been watching her and she rides nicely.”
A newer member to his team is Islebefine, a former northerner who will appreciate better track conditions in the Hygain Maiden Stayers (2200m).
“He didn’t like the heavy track last time so he should be better suited this week, it was a good run though,” Blackadder said.
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