Black Opium breathtaking on city debut

Black Opium continued the electrifying start to her career with a breathtaking debut at Sandown Park last night.

After dominating a Vic Bred Maiden series recently at Bendigo she jumped as the near unbackable $1.30 favourite. She began well and swooped around the field before unleashing down the back straight. Her winning margin was 5½ lengths to Unique Edition in a fast (5.10, 18.76) 29.34.

“To do what she’s done tonight in her first look at the track is brilliant,” said handler Brad Keel post-race.

Black Opium has now notched up four wins from just as many starts and is already performing in elite fashion at just a youthful 18½ months of age.

The question now raised is whether connections will set her an aim for next month’s TAB Melbourne Cup. It’s a race her owners Serg and Bill Buccilli claimed in 2013 with Black Opium’s sire Black Magic Opal.

“To be honest we haven’t even thought about it. We’ll need to have a good think and assess the options,” said Serg Buccilli.

If Black Opium is to head for the world’s greatest race, she will join a strong team of sprinters that will line up for the Seona and Jason Thompson kennel.

Racing at Sandown Park next Thursday night is highlighted by the third and penultimate TAB Melbourne Cup Prelude Series. Elite sprinter Miss Splendamiro will make her debut for her new kennel after moving down from New South Wales – click here for details.

Click here for last night’s results