Silver lining for Black And Gold

Black And Gold produced a memorable moment for Carisbrook trainer Brett Shipway and partner Colleen Batson at Geelong on Wednesday night.
She saluted in the group 3 $25,000 Vicbred Super Series 4yo Silver Trot Black And Gold had contested group 1, 2, and 3 races previously, but never looked like landing one.
It's a remarkable achievement by Shipway and Batson.
Black And Gold was bred by Batson and they race her in partnership.
Like many of Shipway's stable, Black And Gold is home bred.
He trained both her sire Ships Spur (5 wins) and Earls Gold (10 wins).
Earls Gold was one of 3 winners Batson bred out of Silver Dollar mare Trudy Dollar.
She is also the dam of A Nip Will Do, which has had 9 wins in Shipway colours.
And what a story Ships Spur now is.
The son of Pegasus Spur has sired only two foals and Black And Gold is the only one to race.
As well as his skills in getting the best out of trotter, Shipway has patience second to no one.
Black And Gold is evidence of that.
It was not until her 38th race start and fourth as a 4yo earlier this season that she broke her maiden status.
She was placed just once in 14 outings as a 2yo and twice in her 20 starts as a 3yo.
Shipway has been rewarded in no uncertain terms this season, with Black And turning around her fortunes with 5 wins and almost $38,000 in stakes.
And now she's a black-type winner.
There's no question Shipway and Batson cannot wait until she begins her 5yo campaign.