Longford trainer John Blacker continued his hot start to the new year by preparing half of the winners on the eight-event card at Devonport on Monday.
He opened his account with Port Berry who showed the sharpest turn of foot off a muddling tempo to take the Maiden Plate (1350m) under in form hoop Bulent Muhcu.
Blacker next combined with Craig Newitt to take the Maiden/Class 1 Plate (1650m) with former Victorian Phenomenal Dancer, who came from midfield to make a winning debut for his new yard.
Muhcu was in the saddle for both of Blacker’s other victors with the consistent French Heiress enjoying a one-out, one-back trail before proving too strong in the Benchmark 60 Handicap over 1350 metres.
Blacker rounded out his quartet of winners with Rodessa who came from the back of the field for a dominant 2¾ length win in the Benchmark 66 handicap over 1880 metres.
Blacker’s haul followed up his feature double at Launceston last Friday where he captured the $30,000 Brighton Cup with former SA gelding Super Swoop and the Listed $100,000 Tasmanian Guineas with the lightly-raced and highly promising Swoop Dog.
Super Swoop’s win earned him ballot-free entry into the Hobart Cup while Blacker believes Swoop Dog can progress to the Launceston Cup via the Hobart Guineas and Tasmanian Derby.
Blacker had also taken his hometown cup with Glass Warrior on New Year’s Day and that mare will also target the feature Cups, in which she proved very competitive last season.