Black Piranha had the punters cheering and his connections in raptures when he raced to victory in the $1 million Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm today. A $41,000 purchase at the 2005 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Black Piranha was sent out the favourite on the strength of a treble of Group One second placings.Not only was the win the first at racing's elite level for Black Piranha - it was the first for trainer Con Karakatsanis and jockey Tye Angland. "I just can't desc
Black Piranha had the punters cheering and his connections in raptures when he raced to victory in the $1 million Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm today. A $41,000 purchase at the 2005 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Black Piranha was sent out the favourite on the strength of a treble of Group One second placings.
Not only was the win the first at racing's elite level for Black Piranha - it was the first for trainer Con Karakatsanis and jockey Tye Angland. "I just can't describe it," Karakatsanis beamed moments after his gelding captured Queensland's best race. "It's just amazing."
Karakatsanis said he would now give his stable star a rest before heading on a mission to tackle the weight-for-age championship of Australasia. "I'm looking at Melbourne now with him. I'm going to aim him at the Cox Plate...And then I might freshen him up for a race like the Emirates (Stakes)."
He said the build up to today's race where he was favourite was nerve racking. "It was very full on. I've never been that nervous in my life...It was just so great for the horse to be able to win. He's a great race horse - he loves to race - he tries his best and he's just the best horse to train."
Karakatsanis praised his good mate Tye Angland for his perfect handling of Black Piranha in today's million dollar feature. "He's a freak - an absolute champion that bloke. He's been riding so well for the past six months...He deserves all of the credit as well."