Racing
Unbeaten colt stamps his class
Aristopolos stamped his status as Tasmania’s best two-year-old so far this season with an emphatic win in Sunday’s Listed Kevin Sharkie Elwick Stakes (1100m).
The St Mark's Basilica x Flying Krupt colt moved his career record to a perfect 3/3, justifying his $1.45 quote with a victory by just over a length from Momentslikethese ($3.90), with debutant Sovereign Dash ($41) finishing a distant third.
The win was the first black-type success for premiership-leading jockey Erica Byrne Burke , who was content to sit midfield from a wide draw aboard Aristopolos,knowing she was aboard the best horse in the race.
"He's an absolute pleasure to ride. He was a total professional," Byrne Burke said.
"This is my first Listed winner, and I'm very grateful to John (Blacker) and the whole team who have been very supportive of me."
Trainer John Blacker expressed some nerves and excitement pre-race with the unbeaten colt and was a relieved man after the result was in the books.
"He's a good horse going forward, and he will improve now he's had the trip away," Blacker said.
Aristopolos has won all three 2yo races in the state this season, with the previous two being in Launceston. His next assignment will be a return to Hobart for the $85,000 2yo Magic Millions Classic (1200m) on 6 February.
Blacker has previously confirmed that connections had knocked back an offer to purchase Aristopolos before his Elwick Stakes triumph, and Sunday's success may see his price tag soar.
"There are a lot of people in this horse that haven't had a good horse, so it's not an easy decision, but it's a good problem to have."
Aristopolos was a $60,000 purchase at the 2025 Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale and has since won over $162,000 in prize money.
Both Blacker and Byrne Burke had multiple winners on the eight-race card. Byrne Burke partnered with Adam Trinder to win the opening race aboard Lady Galadriel ($2.50), while Blacker won a Class 1 (1400m) at good odds with $18 chance Sandual.
