Speedy filly Bright Blue Sky lived up to the hype when she made a winning debut in the Listed Fasttrack Insurance 2YO Stakes (1100m) at Te Rapa.
The Jamie Richards-trained daughter of Fastnet Rock was backed as if unbeatable leading into the race, starting a prohibitive $1.40 favourite in the hands of jockey Opie Bosson.
Bosson had made a special commitment to ride the filly at her carded weight of 54.5kgs, the first time he’s ridden that light since guiding Probabeel to victory in the 2020 Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie.
The star jockey was duly rewarded for his efforts, as the filly strode past race rivals Sacred Satono and Mascarinto in the closing 150m after tracking the pair throughout.
Bosson had been aboard Bright Blue Sky when she won comfortably over 800m at the Matamata trials at the beginning of the month and after riding her in trackwork, told Richards he wanted the raceday ride.
“When I rode her in trackwork, I didn’t want to miss out on raceday so I told David (Ellis) and Jamie I would make the 54.5kgs,” Bosson said.
“I actually did it quite easily in the end.
“She is still learning as she was on and off the bit, but that can happen on raceday when they go a bit quicker.
“I just liked the way she balanced up underneath me and she went to the line with her ears back, so she was having a real go.
“I followed the first two as I thought they were the two speed horses.
“I didn’t want to get caught up in behind them, so I popped off the rail and while she took a little bit to balance up, she then changed legs and won quite nicely in the end.”
Purchased from the Gold Coast Sale by Ellis in conjunction with Andrew Williams Bloodstock for A$600,000, Bright Blue Sky is out of the Lonhro mare Blue Blue Sky and comes from an extended family that includes dual Group One placegetter La Sizeranne and Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) winner Tavago.
Richards admitted he was relieved to get a debut win under his belt with the filly.
“A bit of relief there as she has a pretty big rap on her,” he said.
“She hasn’t put a foot wrong the whole way through and first time to the races she is a stakes winner, so you can’t argue with that.
“There was a good, genuine tempo and she was able to relax and breathe and then build momentum with one to follow.
“She will go home now and have a few days out then I’ll have a talk to the boss and work out where to next.
“The dream would be to get her back to the Gold Coast for races there (Magic Millions), although we don’t have to make any decisions today.
“The sky’s the limit and we’re looking forward to where she is going to end up as it was very exciting the way she was able to win.”
Video: Bright Blue Sky completes a comfortable victory at Te Rapa
