Black Opal Stakes – 2023

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

A field of 14 runners plus 3 emergencies accepted for the $200,000 Black Opal. Limburg, Gustosisimo and Empress Of Wonder are early scratchings meaning the emergencies will all get a start. There are 5 colts, 5 fillies and 4 geldings. Trainers Bjorn Baker and Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott both have 2 runners. Five runners have already won a race while the other 9 are maidens, including four that are unraced.

The early favourite is Autumn Ballet from the Waterhouse& Bott stable who is having her first race start after winning a Rosehill trial by over 7 lengths. Second favourite is stablemate The Years who won a 1300m maiden at Kembla Grange by 4.8 lengths. Third favourite is emergency Tiz Invincible who is unraced but won a recent trial. Legolas was the winner of the Black Opal Preview over 1000m at Canberra on 24 February. All other runners are currently $14 or more.

1. Disneck (1)

One of 2 runners for Bjorn Baker. Finished 4.4 lengths 5th in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes when resuming. Won his only previous second-up start. Could place.

2. Legolas (12)

Winner of the Black Opal Preview over 1000m at Canberra on 24 February. The only runner with a win at the track. Place chance.

3. Make A Call (15)

Placed at his first 2 runs then ran 6th in the Skyline. Drawn very wide.

4. The Years (8)

Won a 1300m maiden at Kembla Grange by 4.8 lengths where he led all the way. Big chance.

5. Love Shuck (17)

One start for a win. Won by 0.3 length over 1000m at Albury on debut. This is harder but he’s in with a chance.

6. Chop The Ice (10)

Has had 3 starts – all at Canberra – for 2 places and 4th in the Black Opal Preview. Others look to have his measure.

7. Razors (2)

Has had 3 starts for 7th, 11th and 7th. No.

8. Cap Ferrat (11)

Only beat one home on debut at Warwick Farm. Looking elsewhere.

9. Gustosisimo (6)  SCRATCHED

10. Limburg (14)  – SCRATCHED

11. Madeira Sunrise (5)

Debuted with a win in the Listed Lonhro Plate, then ran 6th of 6th in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes. Needs the breaks.

12. Empress Of Wonder (16)  – SCRATCHED

13. Lady Jezam (4)

Ran 1.5  lengths 4th over 1200m at Canterbury at her only start. Can take improvement from that run.

14. Autumn Ballet (7)

From the Waterhouse & Bott stable. Having her first race start after winning a Rosehill trial by over 7 lengths. Expect her to be a main chance but watch the market.

15e. Dylan’s Lad (9)

Unraced but has shown potential at trials.

16e. Tiz Invincible (13)

Is unraced but won a recent trial.

17e. Miss Ghent (3)

Unraced local who is fitter for a couple of trial runs.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo Jackson’s Tips
4 The Years
14 Autumn Ballet
2 Legolas
16 Tiz Invincible