Black Run had yet to score a win on Australian soil before this spring, but a superb run of three consecutive victories has encouraged trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald to lift the bar for the improving gelding.
The Nathaniel-sired stayer is among 22 entries for this Saturday’s $300,000 Pakenham Cup, a notable rise in grade following his recent form surge.
His nomination comes after successive 2400-metre victories at Caulfield, which followed a smart win in a 2000m benchmark 78 at Randwick on November 1. Annabel Archibald said the gelding’s current form justified giving him an opportunity in the 2500m Listed feature.
“I’m not sure what else is going there, so he might be a little bit out of the handicap, but I think 2500 will be ideal and he’s a very genuine horse,” she said.
“Ryan Houston will stick with him. He’s been riding out of his skin and seems to have a nice affinity with this horse.”
Apprentice Houston, who will be unable to claim his 2kg allowance in Saturday’s race, partnered Black Run to his two Caulfield wins, while English jockey Tom Marquand guided him to victory at Randwick.
Marquand also rode Black Run to his maiden success at Goodwood in October 2023, just one start before the gelding contested his only previous Stakes event, the Group 3 Prix Noailles (2100m) at Longchamp.
Black Run finished sixth in that French feature, finishing just over seven lengths behind winner Calandagan, who has since risen to global stardom as the world’s leading stayer and, last month, became the first internationally trained horse in 20 years to win the Japan Cup.
Black Run is one of three possible Pakenham Cup contenders for the Archibald stable, joined by Firm Agreement and Naval College.
A decision on whether Firm Agreement backs up from his seventh-place finish in the Ballarat Cup will be made later in the week, while Naval College also holds a nomination for Saturday’s Listed Christmas Cup at Randwick.
The Pakenham Cup weights are expected to be topped by Smokin’ Romans, with Zipping Classic placegetters Etna Rosso and Alenquer also in the mix, alongside South Australian Derby runner-up Statuario.
Saturday’s program also features the $1m The Supernova, a 1400-metre slot race drawing a high-quality field of 14, including Group 1 stars Private Eye, Here To Shock and Pinstriped.
Punters eyeing the Pakenham Cup or Supernova can compare odds across leading bookmakers via Australia’s best betting sites.
