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Canberra Trainer Todd Smart is sweating on scratchings after his talented filly Spritzy Lass was installed as third emergency is what is a wonderful edition of the ETS Refrigeration Black Opal Preview (1000m).
111 horses have accepted for the strong nine race program which acts as the official previewmeeting ahead of Canberra's first million dollar race day – John McGrath Auto Group Black OpalStakes Race Day on Sunday, 10 March.
A full field of 14 plus five emergencies remain in contention for the Black Opal Preview, with BlackOpal Stakes (1200m) ballot exemption up for grabs for the first two past the post and Todd Smart is hopeful he has the right two-year-old for the job.
"She was green but she'll certainly be better for the experience." Smart said of Spritzy Lass' debuteffort when third behind Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott's Enter The Dragon, beaten only 0.4 of a length.
"She looked a little star struck when the pressure came on and they got away from her but once she got going she went terrific." Smart said.
"Two more strides and she probably wins."
A daughter of Exceedance, Spritzy Lass is one of six Canberra-trained hopefuls, who will look to turn the tables on Enter The Dragon who will head down the Federal Highway once again.
The Capitalist colt is one of a number of quality gallopers engaged with Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou, Annabel Neasham, John Thompson, Bjorn Baker and Richard & Will Freedman all represented.
"It's definitely tougher here but she does her work with an older horse and she's certainly above average." Smart said.
Spritzy Lass is also entered in the 1300m Maiden Handicap earlier in the day.
The Black Opal Preview is one of four races on the program which hold ballot exemption for the first two past the post, into stakes races on Black Opal Stakes Day – Sunday, 10 March.
The TAB Federal National Sprint Preview (1200m) features a strong ten horse field including a number of last start winners.
With a berth in the Listed Seears Workwear National Sprint (1400m) on the line, a number of locally trained gallopers are in contention, in what looks an even affair.
Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones' Zelago is a last start Bega Sprint (1200m) winner and will be using this contest as the perfect lead up in an attempt to win on a fourth Black Opal day, having won races on the day in 2020, 2021 & 2023.
