News

Cavalry Rose on target for Black Opal

7th Mar 2012

Sky Racing - Tuesday, 6 March 2012

Golden Slipper aspirations for unbeaten filly Cavalry Rose will be put to the test in Sunday's $250,000 Black Opal Stakes at Canberra.

Cavalry Rose is one of two Gerald Ryan-trained juveniles among a strong group of 34 nominations for the 1200m Listed feature, with stablemate My Shabella also in line for a start.

Cavalry Rose chased down Diamond Earth to win the Inglis Classic (1200m) at Rosehill on debut before coming out three weeks later on February 11 to win a 2YO Open Handicap at the same track and distance.

Corey Brown has been booked to ride the filly in the Black Opal.

The meeting also features the $200,000 Listed Canberra Cup (2000m), the Listed National Sprint (1400m) and Listed Canberra Guineas (1400m).

"She has freshened up well and her work was good on Saturday morning," Ryan said of Cavalry Rose.

"I was nearly going to trial her this morning (Tuesday) but the way she pulled up on Saturday morning she didn't need it.

"She couldn't have done much more in her two starts and she's beaten the colts and geldings both times. It will probably be her toughest test on Sunday but she has earned her crack at it.

"If she went really well on Sunday her next run would be in the Golden Slipper."

Ryan won the Black Opal with Paint in 1996.

The Rosehill-based trainer also has My Shabella entered for a 1200m maiden at Wyong on Wednesday.

"My Shabella will probably be scratched tomorrow and run in it as well with Josh Adams to ride," Ryan said.

"She trialled well then I thought she was a fraction disappointing first-up. She has done well since though so we'll probably give her a crack at it.

"She's certainly got the ability."

My Shabella won at the official two-year-old barrier trials at Canterbury in September and won another trial at Rosehill last month before her debut.

The daughter of Haradasun started favourite on debut at Canterbury when beaten less than half a length into third place to the Gai Waterhouse-trained Valerio.

The Black Opal nominations also include Sydney debut winners Lator Gator, Faustus and Epaulette.