The Washdyke-based Black is the trainer and owner with her husband, Tim, of Knockyasoxoff, who recorded his third win in eight starts at Wingatui yesterday. The Stark South gelding powered home from last at the 400m in a six-horse field to win over 2200m.
"I know the NZ Cup [over 3200m at Riccarton on November 12] is ambitious and he may not even make the field but I feel the horse deserves his chance," Black said.
The Blacks leased Knockyasoxoff from the North Island in January. He had finished second in a trial in 2009. He began racing in April. He is the first foal of the Pentire mare Hollywood Star.
The stable also won yesterday with Mr Scud, who joined the stable in May. Mr Scud had won a 1150m maiden at Te Awamutu in 2009 for Hamilton owner Mathew Jolly when trained by Helen Sanson. The Cullen gelding was having his sixth start for Black yesterday.
Esther has also won races with Tenko and Estrella de Africa since she began training.
She decided to take out a permit to train after winning first up with Tenko at Hokitika in March 2009.
Black, who came to NZ from Scotland 12 years ago, took over Tenko after the mare was discarded as a racing proposition.
"I thought that if she [Tenko] didn't make it, I would teach her to play polo," Black said. Tim is a polo player.
Tenko was subsequently sold to clients of the stable of Jon Sargent and won another race before being sent to stud.
Knockyasoxoff and Mr Scud were ridden by Jay Misbah, the Wingatui jockey, who also rode The Solitaire to win yesterday.
Salem Yusof rode his first winner, Without Doubt, yesterday. Yusof (24) was having his fourth race ride after being licensed two weeks ago. He is apprenticed to Paul Richards, who trains Without Doubt for the 10-person Ain't No Doubt syndicate.
• River Bear, who will return to the stallion Raise The Flag this week, cleared maiden ranks yesterday.
The Chief Bearhart mare failed to conceive in three matings with Raise The Flag last spring. She had been sent to Wingatui trainer Terry Kennedy by Huntly owner Barbara Brough to allow her to remain in work while close to the stallion. The 7yr-old mare will continue racing until February if she has a successful mating.
Miss Millbrook, the winner of two of past four starts and a stablemate of River Bear, will also be served by Raise The Flag this week. Miss Millbrook could only manage fourth in a four-horse field yesterday. She raced outside the pacemaker, Kiwi Hussler, who dashed clear in the stretch to win by seven lengths.
• Jo Chong was taken to Dunedin Hospital with a knee injury. He was unseated from Inglesia Bay after the finish of race 5. Shankar Muniandy replaced Chong on Ballyrina, winner of the final race.
Sylvie's Dream attempted to buck when disputing the lead inside the 200m and lost momentum. She finished fourth.
Ahreco got his tongue over the bit in race 2 and hung out. Lady Ellen was buffeted at the 500m and her rider Toni Direen lost both irons.
