Richard Will Be Jolly is Blue Wins
- Thursday, 03 October 2002 00:00
Bluewin has had four placings from seven starts but hasn’t shown her best until Jolly started to step her up over a bit of ground. She has been bursting to win a race and was unlucky not to have finished closer last start in the Lindsay Park Guineas (1600m), finishing third behind Milanova.
"She ran a fantastic race under the circumstances," Jolly said. "She had taken just two strides out of the gates before knuckling over and going down on her nose. She ended up with the tailenders and out wide, but still ran home strongly to finish third."
Bluewin has already had six starts this campaign and a decision on whether to send her to the paddock hinged on her run last start. But, according to Jolly, she has done so well since he felt there was no reason not to run her this weekend.
"She pulled up great after her last start and has been bouncing off the track," Jolly said. "She has only improved as she’s stepped up in trip and this race gives her the opportunity at black type. A lot of her opposition will be a bit suspect at the distance but she sticks on really well. She’s a very tough filly."
After stumbling out the gates last start, the filly had to be ridden upside down but, with the rail out 5m this weekend, she will hold a more forward position.
"Two starts ago she led and the start before she box seated, so she’ll be a lot closer this time," Jolly said. "I don’t think you’d want to be coming from too far back with the rail out five metres."
After Saturday, Jolly will again assess whether to send the filly to the paddock or save her for another run.
"If she were to win and pull up well, she may have another run," Jolly said. "There’s not a lot locally but there is a 2000m race for fillies in Melbourne in a couple of weeks. We’ll make a decision on how she goes on Saturday. The main aim for her is the Oaks here next year. I think she’ll be a better horse in the autumn and she’s always given the impression she’ll need a bit of ground."
Lindsay Park trainer Tony McEvoy is sure to play a hand in the race with four chances – Mount Kosciusko, Anacarde, Lifelong Dream and La Supreme.
Mount Kosciusko is a striking Zabeel gelding who has been very green at both runs back from a spell. He should appreciate Saturday’s 1822m though.
Anacarde, an Anabaa filly, has been disappointing since winning at Victoria Park three starts ago but may appreciate the extra trip, while Lifelong Dream, a Jeune filly, belied her odds of 100/1 in charging home to finish second to Milanova in the Listed Lindsay Park Guineas last start.
The stables final runner, and probably their best chance, is La Supreme. The Danehill filly drew barrier 14 last start in the Lindsay Park Guineas and worked home strongly to finish fifth. She has drawn much better this weekend in barrier five and will appreciate the extra ground.
Jolly has two other runners at Cheltenham Park on Saturday – both with excellent chances as well.
Tawtrice, in the Bonnett’s Saddlery Hurdle, was sent out a short-priced favourite for his hurdle debut at Victoria Park a fortnight ago but could manage just fourth. Jolly is tipping a better performance this weekend.
"It was his first start in a hurdle and he made a few mistakes," Jolly said. "He will have improved from that and I’d be disappointed if he didn’t run much better."
His other runner, Miss Vodka, is backing up after an easy win at Murray Bride last Saturday.
She led all the way over 1200m and never looked like being headed. She steps back up in distance this weekend to 1466m but was beaten just a head over a similar trip at the track three starts ago.
"She pulled up really well from last Saturday and this looked another suitable race," Jolly said. "She is pretty well in after Matthew Neilson’s (3kg) claim and should take catching with the rail out."
Media Release - Jason Hickson (TRSA)