Blinkers and a change of tactics have worked wonders for Mr Light Blue.
Trainer Barry Baldwin put blinkers back on Mr Light Blue for the Coca-Cola Amatil Quality (1600m) after his lacklustre seventh at his previous start on December 1.
“He’s won seven races and they’ve all been with the blinkers on,” Baldwin said.
“The owners wanted him ridden forward a bit but it surprised me a bit that he ended up leading.
“It wasn’t our intention to lead – it just worked out that way.”
Baldwin said the Bernborough Handicap (1600m) at Doomben on December 29 was likely to be Mr Light Blue’s next start.
Jockey Jeff Lloyd said he took up the front-running role when Chris Munce, who rode Jet Style, was intent on taking a trail.
“I thought we would sit outside Jet Style but once I saw Chris wasn’t going to push the issue I let my horse roll on to the lead,” Lloyd said.
“We went a moderate tempo and really picked it up from the 600 metres and he ran well right through the line.”
Runner-up Danagaze ($31) challenged strongly in the last 100m but Lloyd was confident Mr Light Blue ($8) would prevail although he only had a nose to spare at the finish.
“The other horse came up to him and I thought for a couple of strides was going to have our measure but full credit to this horse he found a bit more when needed and he fought him off,” he said.
Munce said the favourite Jet Style ($1.80) was looking for a spell after he laboured to finish seventh.
“That was his twelfth run this time in and he just raced like a tired horse,” he said.
“The 58kg took its toll on him but he’ll be right next time in after a break.”
