Ominous warning ahead of Crown heats

NEXT month’s Australasian Breeders’ Crown is the immediate target with exciting filly Irish Black Label.

Completing a stunning racing return in Geelong just moments ago, Irish Black Label is being primed for the futurity by trainer Emma Stewart.

The daughter of Bettors Delight served warning ahead of the heats by capturing the Tatlow Stake in her first run since capturing the Group One Australian Pacing Gold Bullion Final in May.

Breeders’ Crown qualifiers are scheduled to be held in Maryborough on November 7.

“That was a terrific run from her first-up from a spell,” Stewart said. “She did very well during her time off and has come back in great condition.

“Her work at home had been brilliant, so we knew she was ready to put in a big run tonight.”

With David Moran holding the reins, Irish Black Label was caught three-wide from barrier six before being sent forward to test the leader and stablemate, Petillante, from the breeze.

Forging her way to the front at the top of the home straight, Irish Black Label dug deep to score by a metre-and-a-half from her stablemate, Encipher.

Early pacemaker Relentless Me was three metres away third.

Rating 1:57.8 over 2100 metres, the two-year-old took her record to three wins and a second from four starts for earnings of $114,480.

“She was getting tired near the line, but kept finding at the same time,” Moran said.

“She’s a very nice filly, which has won by leading, sitting in the ‘death’ and working three-wide, so she’s shown she can do it tough.

“I’ve got no doubt she can come off the speed too, she’s a pretty versatile filly.”