Black Forge has been a member of the bridal party so often. Finally on Thursday night at Maitland, the Darren Sultana-trained dog finally shed the bridesmaid tag.
After numerous near misses in feature races, Black Forge finally landed his group win with a strong victory in the $40,000 to the winner Husqvarna Maitland Gold Cup Final.
“It’s a good feeling when you win any kind of group race,” Sultana said. “We have had a few placings in those races lately, so to finally knock one off … it’s good to know that all the hard work you put in, finally pays off.
”Of course it can be very hard to win a group race, but he put his right foot forward and got up.”
Jumping from the six, Black Forge raced into second place behind the leader, short-priced favourite Fernando Blaster. Even his most ardent supporter admitted that he thought it would be difficult to run down the favourite.
“I was watching the race on the way to the catching pen and when I saw the one dog (Fernando Blaster) lead, I thought he (Black Forge) was going to struggle to run him down,” Sultana said.
“Fernando Blaster is a really good dog, and after the way he won last week (in 24.70s), I didn’t give my dog much chance of running him down.”
But he did, bumping his way past Fernando Blaster on the home turn, hitting the lead and then holding on for a great win in 24.90s.
The win ends a frustrating streak in Group races for Black Forge and Sultana.
The son of Fabregas and Hail Queenie finished second to Vanderworp in the 2018 Bendigo Cup, fourth to Aston Kimetto in the 2018 Warragul St Leger, third to Pindari Express in this year’s Cyril Rowe Bulli Gold Cup and then second to Catch Me Curly in the Richmond Derby earlier this month.
Black Forge also won his heat and qualified for the final of the Group 2 Black Top at The Gardens back in August last year, but had to be scratched from the final, paving the way for the first reserve to get a run. That reserve was Caitlyn Keeping who then led throughout to win the final.
“What happened was he dug a hole underneath the fence and as he was going under it, the wire must have caught him on his skin and cut his skin and he ended up getting 10 stitches, and with that the (Black Top) Final was gone,” Sultana explained.
“It was tough having to call Colin (Hall his owner) and break the news, and tell him we were out of a $40,000 (to the winner) race.
“But he was great about it and that’s who I am happiest for with the Maitland Cup win. He could have at any time given the dog to another trainer or sent him to Melbourne, but he has left him with me and I’m so pleased for Colin.”
The win was the 18th of Black Forge’s 36-start career, a career which also includes 12 placings, and the $40,000 cheque took his earnings to over $131,000.
Sultana said he will now aim Black Forge at next month’s $250,000 Group 1 Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg.
“I’ll get him ready for the Egg now. He hasn’t been to Wenty for a while, so I’ll take him back and give him a reminder and then, fingers crossed, everything goes well and he can qualify (for the final).”
Black Forge has a good record in town, with four wins from six Wentworth Park starts, the latest a 29.89s victory back in June.
