$100,000 bonus on offer in the TAB Black Mountain

A $100,000 bonus for breaking the track record is up for grabs in next Friday’s TAB Black Mountain (1000m) where some of the fastest sprinters in country racing will meet. 

Amongst the nominations for the Quality Open Sprint will be the speedy Action King for Rob Potter who will be keeping one eye on his galloper’s opponents and one eye on the clock with $100,000 bonus on the line if he can beat the track record of 55.84 set by Guard Of Honour back in 2018.

“He’ll need the speed to be on and the track conditions to suit.” Potter said of Action King’s tilt at the bonus. 

“He came out of his last run perfectly and it was a top effort where he did all he could.” 

“He’s been set for this race from a long way back and has won a couple of good country sprint features now. His record at 1000m is great.” 

“Vella’s Best (Gratz Vella) will go fast in front so hopefully there’s plenty of speed involved.” 

The Gratz Vella-trained Vella’s Best is the defending TAB Black Mountain champion having won the race back in 2025 and Vella is confident he can go back-to-back. 

“He was three wide last year on a Soft track and wasn’t too far away from the track record.” Vella said. 

“Off his last start win at Randwick, he’s right up to this and although he missed a run due to a bad draw, I gave him a good jump out and they’re still putting out the fire.” 

The TAB Black Mountain is shaping as a tantalising contest and will attract some of country racing’s fastest sprinters. 

Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones’ Dawn On Me which led throughout to win the Karabar Sprint at Queanbeyan on Tuesday 8th September earned a ballot exemption into the TAB Federal Black Mountain with the stable confirming it’s the mare’s next target. 

The mare who has now won her last two starts over a similar journey is likely to get into this race on the minimum under the Quality handicap conditions and should make her presence felt. 

Nominations close at 11am on Monday, 14 September. Entry into the racecourse on Friday, 18 September is free.