Ears Back targets black-type in season swansong

[Wandering Eyes]

Southern mare Ears Back (NZ) (Jakkalberry) will be seeking to end her season on a high when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m).

Rangiora trainer John Blackadder sent the six-year-old mare north for a two-run campaign, and while things didn’t go to plan in her opening target, the Listed Rangitikei Cup (1600m), he is confident she can bounce back this weekend.

“She was quite unlucky last start,” Blackadder said. “She was travelling pretty well and then hit a real heavy spot on the turn. Mereana (Hudson, jockey) said she lost two lengths and she would have been right in it if she hadn’t struck that.

“She has been working really well. I am happy with her ahead of Saturday.”

Ears Back will be joined at Wanganui by stablemate Malfy Rosa (NZ) (Burgundy), who will line-up in the Rating 75 2040m contest after finishing sixth in the Bulls Country Cup (2200m) at Trentham earlier this month.

“She is working well,” Blackadder said. “It might be a shade short for her, but if you can keep her on the pace, she will be hard to beat too.”

Saturday will be the end of the line for both mares this season.

“They will both come home for a well-deserved rest,” Blackadder said.

Earlier in the week, Blackadder will also have a two-pronged representation at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Thursday, including debutant Flying On Time (NZ) (Time Test) in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1200m) and last-start runner-up Islebefine in the Parsons Partnership 1000 Wins Rating 75 (2200m).

“Flying On Time will make her debut and she is quite a nice filly, she goes very well,” Blackadder said.

“Islebefine was good over 1600m and she is more suited to 2200m.”

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