Gangemi’s Hope To End Winning Drought
Titan Blinders hasn’t tasted victory in four years, but will look to break the long drought in Saturday’s Listed Scenic Blast Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.
It’s been a barren spell for Titan Blinders who has been without a win since scoring in a 1100m event at Ballarat for Leon and Troy Corstens.
Despite a 1162-day gap between wins, Chris Gangemi, who trains in partnership with his brother, Michael, says Titan Blinders couldn’t be accused of not trying in his races.
Under the Gangemi regime since 2022, the All Too Hard gelding has produced several cracking performances without recording that elusive victory.
He was desperately unlucky in Kalgoorlie’s Hannans Handicap (1200m) when beaten a short-head by Let’s Galahvant after getting held up in the straight.
He followed up with another close second in the Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes (1400m) and placed fourth in the Group 3 Gold Rush (1400m) behind Astrologist.
Gangemi says it’s only a matter of time before Titan Blinders lands a breakthrough win.
“He’s been a really good horse for us without winning a race,” Gangemi said on Tabradio.
“It sounds silly, but he has won a lot of money in placings and has run well in a lot of good races.
“When he got here he was a good thing beaten in the Hannans.
“It’s nice to get one before his career is over, that’s for sure.
“I’d be disappointed if he didn’t win one because he definitely deserves it.”
Titan Blinders has drawn barrier eight and will have Jordan Turner as his rider.
He’s currently $15 with Tabtouch, My Bella Mae ($4.40), Man Crush ($4.60) and Real Danger ($4.80) are fighting for favouritism.
Titan Blinders has been allocated 54.5kg in the Scenic Blast after he carried 57.5kg when fourth to Let’s Galahvant in the Easingwold Stakes (1400m).
“We had the option after his last run which we thought was a really good run to either stretch him out to 1500m or freshen up and come back to 1200m,” Gangemi said.
“We think that is a better move for him as 1500m would have been pushing it.
“He will be ridden quietly early, but if he can get a nice bum to follow into the race we think he can definitely play a part in the finish.”
The Gangemi’s also have Panzdown in the Scenic Blast Stakes, but optimism not as high after he finished last in the Miss Andretti Stakes (1200m).
To be ridden from barrier three by Lucy Fiore, the six-year-old is the $31 outsider.
Chris Gangemi is chasing his third Scenic Blast Stakes victory and second in combination with Michael after Samizdat’s success three years ago.
Chris won the race in his own right with Werd in 2012.
Julio Santarelli