Trainer Con Karakatsanis has had a rocky start to the week but is hoping to end it on a high when Black Piranha and News Alert tackle Saturday's Group One Doomben 10,000.Karakatsanis was fined $8000 by Racing NSW stewards on Monday over a positive swab returned by Black Piranha prior to the Canterbury Stakes in March.Last year's Group One Stradbroke Handicap winner tested positive to anti-inflammatory drugs phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone but Karakatsanis said there were some extenuating circ
Trainer Con Karakatsanis has had a rocky start to the week but is hoping to end it on a high when Black Piranha and News Alert tackle Saturday's Group One Doomben 10,000.
Karakatsanis was fined $8000 by Racing NSW stewards on Monday over a positive swab returned by Black Piranha prior to the Canterbury Stakes in March.
Last year's Group One Stradbroke Handicap winner tested positive to anti-inflammatory drugs phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone but Karakatsanis said there were some extenuating circumstances and planned to appeal the severity of the penalty.
But Black Piranha can provide some immediate compensation on Saturday if he can go one better than his second to Apache Cat in last year's 10,000.
"I really hope so," Karakatsanis said.
"I've been saying for the last three months that he's going better than last year but during the autumn nothing went right for him."
Black Piranha and News Alert are due to arrive in Queensland on Tuesday and will have their final serious hitouts for the 1350 metre sprint a day later.
New Zealander Michael Walker will partner News Alert while Tye Angland reunites with Black Piranha following Jim Cassidy's decision to ride in Sydney on Saturday.
Angland won the Stradbroke aboard Black Piranha and had been the gelding's regular rider until this campaign.
Black Piranha comes into the 10,000 following a midfield effort over an unsuitable 1100 metres at Scone where he lumped 61kg and was doing his best work late behind winner Border Rebel.
News Alert also carted 61kg to win the Wagga Town Plate at his most recent outing and while Karakatsanis conceded the gelding faced his acid test on Saturday, he also believed he had earned his spot.
"Obviously the class and the distance is a bit of an issue but he deserves a shot at the big time," he said.
"News Alert puts himself in the race and stays out of trouble while Black Piranha needs a bit of luck but both horses are great chances.
"It's a very open 10,000 this year.
"I think whichever horse gets the right run will get the chocolates."
Ortensia remains favourite for the 10,000 with TAB Sportsbet at $4 ahead of Hot Danish and Whobegotyou at $5.50.
Black Piranha is the punters' pick of Karakatsanis' pair at $15 with News Alert a $21 chance.