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Trainer Rob Gulberti queries short quote for Blackwater Bay in Broome Cup

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Jay RooneyThe West Australian
Superior Smile with trainer Daniel Pearce and jockey Alan Kennedy, with Blackwater Bay and jockey Kyra Yuill and trainer Rob Gulberti.
Camera IconSuperior Smile with trainer Daniel Pearce and jockey Alan Kennedy, with Blackwater Bay and jockey Kyra Yuill and trainer Rob Gulberti. Credit: Simon Merritt/Simon Merritt / Western Racepix

Trainer Rob Gulberti is surprised by Blackwater Bay’s short quote for Saturday’s Broome Cup (2200m) and rates dominant Port Hedland Cup victor Block Of Land as a big danger.

Gulberti has high hopes of claiming a third victory in the $100,000 feature with Blackwater Bay, who stamped his cup credentials with a fast-finishing third in the Kimberley Cup (2020m) last start.

However, he believes the race is more open than the gelding’s Ladbrokes quote of $2.90 suggests. The former Adam Durrant-trained stayer is even shorter with other bookmakers.

Gulberti is wary of the x-factor horse in the race, Block Of Land, after his 3-1/2 length blitz in the Port Hedland Cup (2200m) at Roebourne.

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It was Block Of Land’s fourth consecutive victory at Roebourne for trainer Aaron Pateman, who has transferred the gelding to his father Darryn for Broome’s biggest race.

“I’m surprised he was $2.40 at one stage,” Gulberti said of Blackwater Bay’s quote.

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“Adam’s had a fair opinion of him, but he’s had quite a few problems in the past and probably hasn’t reached his potential.

“The biggest variable is the Port Hedland Cup winner.

“He was quite impressive the other day and in the past, the Port Hedland form has been strong. We did it last year with Staaden.”

Blackwater Bay working on Cable Beach for jockey Kyra Yuill.
Camera IconBlackwater Bay working on Cable Beach for jockey Kyra Yuill. Credit: Simon Merritt/Simon Merritt / Western Racepix

Despite having some concerns, Gulberti is happy with Blackwater Bay heading into the cup.

The full brother to Group 1 winner Come Play With Me won five races for Durrant before he was transferred to Gulberti for a Broome campaign.

“He’s settled into the environment well and we didn’t want to give him too many runs before the cup,” Gulberti said.

“I think to have a chance of winning he has to be closer than last start, but I’ll leave that to Kyra (Yuill, jockey).

“He definitely hasn’t gone backwards.”

Blackwater Bay jumps from barrier three in his bid to join Gulberti’s duo Desert Glow (2015) and Staaden (2021) on the Broome Cup honour roll.

Jockey Shaun McGruddy, who won last year’s cup on Staaden, will be chasing a feature win at Belmont Park on Saturday when he rides Resortman in the Belmont Newmarket (1200m).

McGruddy picked up the plum ride on the last-start Bolton Sprint (1200m) winner with Chris Parnham on holiday.

“He did it quite tough in the Bolton and he beat a pretty good field,” McGruddy said.

“Even though he’s up a couple of kilos, he’s drawn much better and he’s going to be hard to beat.”

Resortman has drawn barrier three and holds $3 favouritism.

ROONEY’S RACEBOOK

BEST OF THE BEST

BELMONT: Resortman (R8, No.5)

CAULFIELD: She’s All Class (R3, No.4)

ROSEHILL: Frumos (R5, No.5)

EAGLE FARM: Southern Stock (R4, No.1)

MORPHETTVILLE: Chicago Storm (R5, No.7)

BELMONT SPECIALS

VITAL FLIRT (R5, No.3) was a complete forgive after a gear issue last start. Loves a wet track.

MULTINATIONAL (R7, No.6) is in great form and backs up after a close second to Phanta.

RESORTMAN (R8, No.5) won the Bolton despite a wide run throughout and gets a softer run today.

BEST ROUGHIE

HOLY GHOST (R9, No.7) caught the eye first-up when third to Nowhiteflag. Just needs luck from the barrier.

QUADDIE

Race 6: 2, 4, 5, 6

Race 7: 6, 7

Race 8: 4, 5

Race 9: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11

$50 for 44.64%

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