Racehorse TALK

racing and sports;
Wednesday, 29 July 2009: Stoneblack might have finished the season with a win but his campaign may not yet be over.

The tough youngster was having his 15th start of the season over a mile at Betfair Park Lakeside and started favourite on his string of honest runs over both the autumn and winter.

Settling midfield on the outside, he cruised up to Encosta Belief, well fancied in the race, and jockey Nick Hall had to get busy late but he proved too tough in the run home.

Stoneblack  had run a host of placings, including a few stakes placings, before finally breaking through for Hall at Ballarat in a 1500m maiden. He transferred that to a city win today but trainer Robert Smerdon hasn't ruled out another run on Saturday week.

“He's got an incredible attitude and a remarkable constitution,” Smerdon said. “He takes it all in his stride. He had a couple of starts in the spring then was spelled and gelded and has come back and raced right through. Our attitude has been he can have a spell when he wants to but he keeps going.”

Smerdon said the gelding may race in one of the three Asian Young Guns Challenge races at Flemington on August 8.

Riders from Australia, as well as Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong, will compete over a three race series.

Hall is among the challengers from Australia.

The win for Hall today on Stoneblack may have also sealed the apprentice premiership, with the rider now drawing one clear of Dean Holland, and two clear of Ibrahim Gundogdu.