Nangar Lucy Arrives In Time In Black Top Thriller

IT would be hard to argue with Dennis Barnes after his star sprinter Nangar Lucy took out the Sires On Ice Group 2 Black Top at Ladbrokes Gardens on Friday night.

Dennis simply said: "I think The Gardens owes me this one I'll tell you."

Barnes was referring to the $500,000 final of the Ladbrokes 715 back in May when his dog Nangar Rocket led until the final stride only to be caught by Zipping Orlando on the line and – after a three minute wait for the photo – had to be content as runner-up. 

The Black Top win wasn't quite like for like, but it was feature at the venue and a win nobody would begrudge.

Most, including Barnes, expected that to win Nangar Lucy would need to nail the start and lead all the way. It wasn't to be.

She missed the kick, had to battle her way through the field, then when victory seemed a possibility, she looked like she took the wrong run and would miss out.

How's this for a finish?! ????

Nangar Lucy has won a thrilling Sires on Ice G2 Black Top Final at @TheGardensGRNSW this evening, coming from behind to bravely win in 29.71!

She's off the the MDC Semi-Finals, and with Umberto who ran 2nd already qualified, Frisky Felon (3rd) and… pic.twitter.com/AxYdKwJTsx

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) September 22, 2023

"When she came out of the boxes her two front feet just slipped and I thought well that's the end of it," Barnes explained.

"Then when she started to get up into a bit of a position down the back, then I thought well we're in with a chance.

"Then, coming down the straight she hooked out to go around them and I thought well that's cost her race.

"Peter Lagogiane was beside me and I said who won that Pete, and he said: "you did".

"I got the surprise of my life, but I'm pretty happy I can tell you. I think The Gardens owes me this one I'll tell you."

Nangar Lucy clocked 29.71s and this time had just 0.01s to spare over Victorian Umberto with another 0.1s back to third placegetter Frisky Felon. The margins, a head by a half head.

As an added bonus this year the first three in the Black Top also receive invitations into the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase semi-finals. It was similar with the Dapto Megastar earlier this month, and if any of those Megastar placegetters were placed in the Black Top, then the MDC berth would go to the next on the list.

As Umberto won the Megastar, it meant that fourth placegetter in the Black Top, Hurricane's Fury, also has a semi-final berth.

"I take the races as they come but I'll head off into the Million Dollar Chase with high hopes now, but as we know, racing can also bring you down pretty quick," Barnes said.

The night's other feature The Macca, named in honour of legendary racecaller John McDermott, was taken out by Oscar Boaz who charged home late to garb the important win for trainer Caitlin Brewer.

Coincidentally, Oscar Boaz was born in 2021 on February 25, John McDermott's birthday.

"It felt very special (winning the race and accepting the trophy)," Caitlyn said. "It was definitely a butterflies moment."