Superman in last-to-first burst

GOLD Coast nightclub king Billy Cross led the cheering when his three-year-old The Black Superman produced a barnstorming finish to win today’s Pacific Petroleum QTIS 3YO Maiden Hcp (1100m).
Lining up for his third race start after striking wet tracks at his only previous outings, The Black Superman settled in last place in the nine-horse field, but swamped the field when jockey Chris Whiteley asked him for an effort in the straight.
“Finally getting him on a dry track today was the key factor,’’ said Cross, who races the Sequalo gelding with Paul Burton, Luke Munro and Matt Wildman. The Black Superman was a $25,000 purchase at the 2011 Magic Millions QTIS sale.
“He just hasn’t stretched out in his two previous runs on heavy and slow going and we’ve been looking forward to getting him on dry ground.
“Obviously letting him drop out and find his feet is the way to ride him and on today’s performance you’d think he may get up to 1400m.’’
Sent out the $13 rank outsider in the field, The Black Superman swamped General Exhibit ($5) to score running away by a length with a long neck to Destars ($8) in third.
General Exhibit’s defeat prevented trainer Helen Page and jockey Dan Griffin from winning their third straight win at the Gold Coast this afternoon.
Story: Neil Archer
Photo: Trackside Photography Pty Ltd