3 minute read

Champion hurdler Black And Bent resumed over the jumps at Sandown today the same way he left when winning with ease to claim his seventh jumps win in a row.

The Robert Smerdon-trained runner had three lead up runs on the flat before today and will now push on towards the Galleywood Hurdle (3200m) at Warnambool in two weeks time, a race he won last year.

Black And Bent was quickly away in the field of four and found himself in front before ten-year-old Desert Master took up the running, leading by 7 lengths at one stage.

Black And Bent took up a spot behind the leader with Our Aristocat stalking him and Cat's Fun struggling to keep up in the early stages.

Our Aristocrat took off wide at the 800m mark and found himself on level pegging with Black And Bent on the turn but was no match for the star who streaked away to win by 5 lengths, eased down over a fast finishing Cat's Fun in second with Our Aristocrat in third.

“He really runs his own race, and is fairly easy to ride,” said jockey Steven Pateman.

“It is a relief every time everything goes well and just to know he is in form and with the preparation ahead of him it is very exciting,” he added.

“He is certainly a horse of a lifetime and he is expected to win so you want to get the job done and I don't know how he does it and now riding work with Aquanita I am more involved with him.”

Black And Bent a six-year-old gelding by Black Hawk has now won 10 races over the jumps from 16 starts and looks set for a bit campaign ahead.

Emerging jumper Phaze Action took out the first race on the program to win his second race from three starts over the jumps and has continued his rise.