DUBLEO mare Two Blue has earned herself a crack at a Group 1 this winter after taking out the BMW Handicap (1200m) on the final day of The Championships at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The Wyong trained mare was having her first start since her fruitful Summer campaign which in 7 starts heralded 2 wins, 3 seconds and 2 fourths including the Listed Belle of the Turf (1600m) at Gosford.
Ridden by champion jockey Damien Oliver, Two Blue settled off the speed before launching herself down the middle of the track to edge out the Chris Waller-trained You’ll Never with Mount Nebo close up in third.
What made Two Blue’s effort all the more remarkable was trainer Kristen Buchanan’s revelation that the mare was only ’80 percent fit’ for her assignment leading to a swift upping of the ante vis-a-vie her winter preparation.
”I did have another benchmark race picked out, but she won’t be able to run in that now,” Buchanan said.
“We will look at the Dark Jewel at Scone and use that as a springboard.
“Ultimately I’d love to have a go at the (Tatt’s) Tiara.”
Two Blue is one of 25 individual winners sired by Dubleo this season only alongside 2YO Inglis Banner stakeswinner Silversands, stakes-placed (Group 3 winner) Koonoomoo as well as Moonee Valley winner Duble Barrel Daisy, Hot Hit (7s starts 4 wins) and Double Dee who is also a half-sister to Cox Plate winner Shamus Award.
Two Blue is out of the mare Blue Booty who foaled a full-sister to Buchanan’s mare in 2013.
Two Blue has a record of 23 starts for 6 wins and 10 placings with earnings of $212,150 so far.
