As the summer series of staying races draw to a close, trainer Grahame Begg has been tempted to roll the dice once more with Blue Jay Way at Sandown.
Blue Jay Way steps out in Wednesday’s Clanbrooke Racing Handicap over 3000m, a trip she was successful over at Moonee Valley two starts back.
Begg said the mare was set to head for a spell after she runs on Wednesday.
“I’m sure she’ll run well as she’s in good order,” Begg said.
“She won two starts back at Moonee Valley and ran second at her last start there and this is the last lot of these long distance races so we decided to keep her going for one more run.
“What we don’t want is too much rain, the drier the better for her, but this will be her last run and we’ll tip her out for the winter.”
Begg said Blue Jay Way’s future may be as a hurdler but for now that’s the furthest thing from his mind.
The four-year-old is a half-sister to Honey’s Steel Gold, an Adelaide Grand National Hurdle winner in 2016.
“She’s only a four-year-old but I wouldn’t say she won’t make a jumper, her half-brother’s a jumper, but I’d also have to get a jumping licence,” Begg said.
“That’s a bit above my level of expertise at this time.”
Blue Jay Way shares equal favouritism at $4.20 with I Can Stay All Day, a last-start sixth over 2400m at Sandown following successive wins at Colac and Werribee.
Begg believes Alienated, who lowered Blue Jay Way’s colours at her last start at Moonee Valley on February 22, is her biggest danger.
“He gets in very well at the weights with the claim,” Begg said.
“He ran on Sunday in the Stony Creek Cup and is on the three-day back-up.
“He’s one I’m wary of.”
