John Blackadder is intent on gaining some black-type for his mare Ears Back and will trek down to Ascot Park this weekend to ready her for her next stakes assignment.

The five-year-old mare was fourth in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) at Wingatui earlier this month, giving Blackadder the confidence to press on towards next month’s Gr.3 Valachi Downs South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton.

With that race in-mind, Blackadder has aimed Ears Back toward Saturday’s Cruickshanks Pryde Southland Stakes (1400m), which he believes will ready her nicely for her Riccarton assignment.

“She has come through her White Robe run well. The wet track got her in that last 100m, but I was very happy with the run,” Blackadder said.

“The main reason I am taking her down there (Ascot Park) is to get a run into her before the Valachi Downs.

“The way her racing pattern is at the moment, she has been going on the pace, so 1400m shouldn’t really worry her.

“I have got Lisa Allpress on, which will be nice before she heads over to Saudi Arabia.”

Allpress will also take the ride on stablemate Diamond Girl in the ODT Southern Mile Qualifier – Summer Cup (1600m).

“I have got the blinkers back on her this time and she is well. We will definitely look towards the final if she goes well, it is wonderful prizemoney for the South Island,” Blackadder said.

The Rangiora trainer has also nominated Quick Story for the Rating 65 2200m, Silver Cannon for the Rating 65 1400m, and First Lieutenant for the Maiden 1200m.

“Quick Story is dropping back from the Marlborough Cup so should be very competitive in that, she has been working well,” Blackadder said.

“I was going for that Southern Mile with Silver Canon but she can’t get a mile, so 1400m is more her go.

“And First Lieutenant is not a bad horse and he will be more competitive.”

It will be long trip to the Southland meeting from his Canterbury base, but one Blackadder believes is well worthwhile.

“It is a fair old trip down there but it is a great meeting, I love going down there and it is good to support them,” he said.