Blackjack Boom on target for QTIS Jewel

By Glenn Davis

Talented gelding Blackjack Boom is headed to the $500,000 QTIS 3YO Jewel next month following his dominant victory at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

Ridden by Robbie Fradd, Blackjack Boom overcame an outside barrier to down the Les Ross-trained Mishani Sniper in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap, with Buying Time running home strongly to fill third spot.

Blackjack Boom, jumping from the outside barrier 12, made it four wins from five starts, with his only defeat coming at his second start in a Benchmark race at the Gold Coast in September last year.

The QTIS Three-Year-Old was over 1000 metres and Fradd believes the Spirit Of Boom gelding will have no trouble stepping out to 1200 metres for the first time in the QTIS Jewel at the Gold Coast on March 14.

“I knew he had the ability to win it and it was just a matter of what run he would get,” Fradd said.

“As it turned out he got a great run and the speed was perfect and he quickened nicely.

“I think being by Spirit Of Boom 1200 metres will be better for him and maybe he’ll get even further later on with experience.”

Although Blackjack Boom is trained at the Gold Coast, all his four wins have been at the Sunshine Coast over 1000 metres.

The exciting gelding's win delighted Toby Edmonds who trains him in partnership with son, Trent.

Edmonds was thrilled Blackjack Boom overcame his big weight of 59kgs and the outside draw to complete a hat-trick of wins.

“He got a little tired towards the end but to beat those horses with that weight was a good effort,” Edmonds said.

Another trainer on the QTIS Jewel trail is Toowoomba's Rex Lipp following Burnish Gold’s win in the QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap over 1000 metres.

The daughter of Defcon made it two wins from three starts with a one-length win over Jukebox Glow.

Lipp, who co-trains with Nicholas Hahn, won last year’s QTIS 3YO Jewel with Simply Fly.

Lipp is yet to win the QTIS Jewel for two-year-olds but Burnish Gold proved she was on the right path.

“She’s a big strong filly and she relaxes so well in her races,” Lipp said.

“I like her and she’ll go to the QTIS Jewel next month.

“I can’t see any standout fillies this year so all going well she’ll run in the big race next month.”