It’s taken Two Blue until her final racing season to claim a stakes victory and her trainer is now looking to send her out on a Group One high.
Kristen Buchanan will give the seven-year-old her chance in the major sprints over the Brisbane winter carnival, starting with Saturday’s Group One BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben.
After five seconds in stakes races, the front-running Two Blue claimed a long overdue win in the Group Two Sapphire Stakes at Randwick on April 9.
At her most recent start, Two Blue was run down by Nancy to post another second in the Group Three Godolphin Crown at Hawkesbury.
“Two Blue will run in the BTC Cup and then we will press on into the winter. At this stage we plan to be here up to the Tatts Tiara in late June,” Buchanan said.
“Two Blue is probably off to the breeding barn after this season and she deserves her chance in the better races.
“She is so honest. She just keep on trying in her races and there is a prediction for rain later in the winter which would be a help.”
The Wyong-based Buchanan was in Brisbane last week arranging four boxes for the winter and is putting together a list of travelling companions for Two Blue.
“I might bring Lucky News for a benchmark race at Doomben this Saturday but we will just play it by ear,” she said.
Former Perth jockey Paul King, who now lives at Wyong, will again be aboard Two Blue on Saturday.
“Paul knows Two Blue and they form a very good combination,” Buchanan said.
Canberra sprinter Fell Swoop will start favourite in the BTC Cup with Jay Ford replacing the suspended Damien Oliver.
Ford rode Fell Swoop to win the Group Two Victory Stakes last Saturday week.
The Victory Stakes was Fell Swoop’s first win at Group level. Earlier this year he was an unlucky short half head second to Flamberge in the Oakleigh Plate and beat all but champion sprinter Chautauqua in the TJ Smith Stakes.
In early markets, Fell Swoop is at $3.60 to win his first Group One trophy ahead of Japonisme and Malaguerra at $6.
