Canberra racing boss Peter Stubbs hopes Black Opal champion Trapeze Artist's breakthrough group 1 win on Saturday will enhance the reputation of the capital's premier race.
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The Gerald Ryan-trained Trapeze Artist one the $1 million Golden Rose at Rosehill despite being a $41 outsider at the start of the race.
The win came six months after Tim Clark guide the three-year-old to a three-length win in the group 3 Black Opal at Thoroughbred Park.
Trapeze Artist follows fellow Black Opal winners Epaulette, Criterion and Takedown as group 1 graduates of the feature race, but the Black Opal will maintain its group 3 status in the coming years.
"But it's certainly a big vote of confidence for the Black Opal over the last few years," Stubbs said.
"There have been quite a few horses go on to be a group-1 winner after running in the Black Opal. It's always pleasing to see them go on and do well.
"The Black Opal has always had a good reputation, but I think it's been enhanced over the last two years in particular."
Stubbs is preparing for a bumper spring of racing in Canberra, highlighted by the rise of Single Gaze and Fell Swoop as they embark on separate campaigns in Melbourne and Sydney respectively.
Single Gaze is being set for the Caulfield Cup on October 21 and the mare could become the first Canberra horse in more than a decade to feature in the Melbourne Cup in November.
Fell Swoop will race in the world's richest race, the $10 million Everest (1200m), at Randwick on October 14 and will likely continue its campaign at the Premier Stakes.
"We've got two great horses racing at the highest level at the moment and that's a great thing for Canberra racing," Stubbs said.
"You can't get much better than what they're doing, so we're wishing [trainers Nick Olive and Matt Dale] all the best."
