Horse Racing Tips for Canberra Black Mountain 19/9/25

There’s always a special appeal about older, lightly raced sprinters, and Friday’s feature TAB Federal Black Mountain Quality (1000m) at Thoroughbred Park looks set to prove the point.

Run on an improving Soft 6 track with the rail out 5m, the $100,000 sprint has attracted a strong and competitive field, with just over half the runners resuming.

For punters, it’s a tricky race, but one Goulburn-trained sprinter looms as the one to beat.

 

 

Extravagant Lad the Benchmark

Seven-year-old Extravagant Lad, by NZ sire Xtravagant, resumes for his first run since early May when he was beaten a neck in a Warwick Farm BM 72 over 1000m after firming in betting from $3.70 to $3.10.

That effort capped a three-run prep, highlighted by a dominant feature sprint win on Orange Cup day before striking trouble in deeper company at Randwick late in the autumn carnival.

Importantly, his best figures are on soft ground and three of his six career wins from just 27 starts have come first-up.

Given an easy trial at Canberra a fortnight ago, this has clearly been a long-planned spring starting point.

With Blaike McDougall aboard, expect him to settle midfield off the fence before unleashing his customary surge in the straight.

 

Stablemate in the Mix

Intriguingly, the Collings stable also saddles up Mogo Magic, a six-year-old with tactical speed and an impressive record in its first start.

He resumes his first run since late June when placed in a Federal BM 85 over 1280m.

The son of Duporth has won nearly 40 percent of his starts and maps to sit closer to the speed, with Pierre Boudvillain taking the reins.

Either of the stablemates could use the Black Mountain as a springboard to bigger country features or a Saturday Highway.

 

Throwback to when Mogo Magic won at Randwick two years ago.

 

Local Hopes

Among the local brigade, the veteran grey Fangela resumes for Keith Dryden and Libby Snowden.

The eight-year-old was ultra-consistent last prep, winning consecutive Open Federals at Canberra, placing in the Albury Flat Knacker (900m), and running well in testing conditions at Warwick Farm.

He resumes without a public trial and must contend with the outside barrier and a big weight.

 

Another Goulburn visitor, Pokerjack, trained by Tash Burleigh, is also in the mix.

The honest eight-year-old finished strongly last start in a deeper BM 78 at Rosehill, and with a fast tempo here, he’ll be charging late.

 

Local four-year-old Take The Rap (Norm Gardner) gets the inside draw fourth-up, while five-year-old mare Starlight Girl (Matthew Kelley) returns from a spell after two sharp trial wins, adding further intrigue.

 

Neil’s Verdict

While a $100,000 bonus is on offer for a track record, the soft ground should make that safe.

What is certain is that the Black Mountain Quality will be a key sprint form reference heading into the spring.

 

Neil’s Tips:

1. Extravagant Lad

2. Pokerjack

3. Mogo Magic

4. Take The Rap

5. Fangela

 

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