Trainer Wayne Lawson and connections of talented but enigmatic galloper Blackboard Special will be on tender hooks watching his long awaited return to racing on his home track at Grafton on Saturday.

Grafton trainer Wayne Lawson is the first to admit Stariano has tested his and the gelding’s owner’s patience.

The quality and excitement of ‘The Championships’ becomes a distant memory when looking at the underwhelming program on offer at Rosehill.

5 State Plays

A rookie apprentice is the secret behind Blackboard Special, the boom country three-year-old who makes his city debut at Rosehill on Saturday.