Fairy ‘Tail': Duke Delivers Mackay A Third Black Top

THE Jason Mackay-trained Aston Duke secured the second group 2 victory of his career with a gritty win in Friday's Sires On Ice Black Top at Ladbrokes Gardens.

THE Jason Mackay-trained Aston Duke secured the second group 2 victory of his career with a gritty win in Friday night's Sires On Ice Black Top Final (515m) at Ladbrokes Gardens.

Heading into the $40,000 to-the-winner final as the race favourite following his sizzling 29.37 heat success a week earlier, the son of Go Wild Teddy and Aston Elle made full use of his box one draw in Friday night's decider, carving out a three-quarter length victory over Good Odds Buddy on a rain soaked track in 29.65.

Finishing third just another half-head away was Eye Rock for veteran trainer Warren Slade, the $71.00 chance running the race of his 66 start career.

“He broke his tail in the catching pen at Wentworth Park a few months back so he's been no stranger at the vets, he's come back as good as ever,” explained Mackay of a resurgent Aston Duke.

“We weren't sure how he'd handle box one because he likes to use a bit of the track but I knew the dog was spot on, I couldn't have been happier with him,” added Mackay, who claimed a winning treble on the night with Turbo Thomas and Whiskey Jack also successful.

Friday night's Black Top success was the 26th of Aston Duke's career, the Ray Borda-owned star now boasting both Hunter Valley feature events on his resume, having taken out last year's Group 2 Maitland Gold Cup in emphatic fashion.

For Richmond Vale trainer Mackay, Friday night's Black Top victory was his third, previously landing the race back in 2010 with his former top flight sprinter Snozz and in 2017 with group 1 winner Mister Twister.

In a touch of irony, Mackay rugged up last year's Black Top favourite Zipping Tayla from box one also, the daughter of Barcia Bale – a full sister to Golden Easter Egg winner Zipping Bailey – finishing a half-length second to Caitlyn Keeping in a thrilling finish.

Mackay will now target Aston Duke towards the TAB Million Dollar Chase, despite the leading trainer conceding the ever-consistent galloper has the job ahead to land the $1 million to-the-winner October 18 final.

“He will struggle to run the times of some of the others but he's a great little dog and deserves his chance – he's come back great, you'd love a kennel full of him,” added Mackay.

All things being equal, Mackay will have a five pronged attack on the Million Dollar Chase, Aston Duke joined by Zipping Bailey, Flying Bazza and incoming kennel acquisitions Flynn and Get It Gizmo.

Meanwhile, the Black Top consolation – ‘The Macca' – named in recognition of local race-caller John McDermott, provided a thrilling finish, with Knight's Page landing the prize for caretaker trainer Anne Foley and Gayle Masterson.

Putting his head out when it mattered most, Knight's Page scored by a head over Kid Candle in a fast best of meeting 29.45.

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