Stumpy Blackler (Bettor’s Delight) triggered some great memories when he won his maiden race at Cromwell today.

Driver Nikita Burton took the Steve and Amanda Telfer three year old straight to the front and although he had to absorb some midrace pressure, he was too good, winning by three and a half lengths.

STUMPY BLACKLER REPLAY

The gelding was bred by former Southland trainer Tony Barron and is named after Southland sporting identity Alan ‘Stumpy’ Blackler.

After eleven seasons as a senior rugby player for the Invercargill based Star club, Blackler  captained the side for the next five years and was then player-captain-coach for his last three undefeated seasons.

He also played 37 games for Southland at first five-eighth, fullback and halfback between 1965 and 1973. These included matches against the All Blacks on an internal tour, as well as France and two Ranfurly Shield games.

He also served on the SRFU executive for seven years. And he trained standardbreds at Makarewa, gearing up eight winners including the 1984 Invercargill Cup winner Skipem.

“He lived just down the road and he managed a syndicate who we trained for,” Barron said.

Barron sold Stumpy Blackler to Stonewall Stud at the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales for $82,500.

“I asked Jill Stockman if she could keep his name, because Alan was a great friend to a lot of people down south. She said no trouble. It’s amazing. The Star boys that used to play with him  or under him are all following the horse. Philippa his wife follows him closely, so it was an absolutely fabulous result.”

The gelding is out of Lady Arts and was bred by Alan, Philippa and Vin and the late Daphne Devery.

“I bought her off Vin as a broodmare, but she broke in very nice. She had a bump on the fetlock and that’s why she didn’t go to the yearling sales. She was a nice filly and won a couple of trials. She was going a little bit sore and the fields came out for Omakau. She drew one, so we started.  She was never chronically lame, it was just a bit niggly. But I only bought her as a broodmare.”

After winning her only start, Lady Arts was retired and sent to Bettor’s Delight, producing Stumpy Blackler.

Lady Arts is out of Natal Franco who won seven races including the 2007 G3 Nevele R Stakes for two year old fillies. She also ran third in the 2008 G1 New Zealand Oaks.

Since Stumpy Blackler, Lady Arts has had a Downbytheseaside filly and is in foal to Bettor’s Delight.

“I’m just breaking her in now and she’s an absolute slasher.”

In the following race today, Team Telfer and Burton won with Premier Arden (Tall Dark Stranger) who like her stablemate, led all the way and won easily by three and a quarter lengths.

The three year old filly is raced by her breeders John and Judy Stiven of Arden Lodge, and Stonewall Stud.

Both Stumpy Blackler and Premier Arden look likely candidates for the three year old features on Diamonds Day in April – the Southern Supremacy Stakes and the Southern Oaks.

It was a good day for Arden Lodge and Stonewall with Ebony Arden (Bettor’s Delight) winning for the partnership at Ashburton.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink