Racing
Aristopolos out to remain unbeaten
Exciting youngster Aristopolos steps out for the second time when he contests the 2yo Handicap (1100m) in Launceston on Friday night.
Exciting youngster Aristopolos steps out for the second time when he contests the 2yo Handicap (1100m) in Launceston on Friday night.
Aristoplos was an impressive winner in the opening 2yo race of the season last month, overcoming a couple of difficulties.
"We gave him a week off after his last start, we kept him in the stables, out in the paddock and in a box of a night, he has come back really good, all his gallops have been good," trainer John Blacker said.
"Glenn Hodges rides him in most of his gallops, and we had Kylie Baker ride him last Saturday in a good half-mile gallop against an older horse, and he worked really well. I'm looking forward to Friday night because I think he's a horse going places.
"Barrier one is no concern, but I hope he jumps better, and we can probably be in the first two or three, if not leading."
On debut, Aristopolos did plenty wrong but still proved way too good, coming from second last to win by 2 lengths.
"For a horse having his first run, he did a couple of things wrong, but when he balanced up, he worked to the line pretty strongly.
"When you look at him in the mounting yard, he looks more like a 4yo, so he has matured well, and I think he should win."
It will be a busy night for Blacker; he has 17 horses entered and is confident that he can take home a couple of winners, especially in the final event of the night.
"The last race fell away a bit. There are four runners, and we've got two of them. Baybougg won well at Longford and Within Sight trialled up in Hobart last week. Tricky race with only four runners, but you would think we should win that race."
The first of eight races is set down for 18:08. All the action is with Colin McNiff on Tasracing Live.
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