Oakland Park homebred Blue Rocket ran her rivals ragged to break Blue Point’s southern-hemisphere duck at Ascot on Saturday.
Blue Point (Shamardal) had 17 individual first-crop starters compete in 29 races prior to the Perth newcomer registering his first win in Australasia. Blue Rocket was never in danger of losing the National Pump & Energy Plate (1000m) after getting away to a flyer for Natasha Faithfull.
“She’s very sharp but we don’t overcook our babies at home so we didn’t know how she would handle the pressure on debut,” co-trainer Dan Pearce admitted. “She’s only tiny but she’s a well-bred Oakland Park filly and looked a professional out there today. Tash did a great job. She’s been with us for twelve months now and is always happy to help.”
Blue Rocket clocked 58.03s and will be set for features like the LR Supremacy Stakes (1000m) on March 23 and G3 Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) on April 6. “I came back in after her Lark Hill trial win last week and told the boys she was very quick,” Faithfull said. “I can’t fault her and there were no concerns at any stage. She travelled, straightened and had a good kick.”
Darley Stud shuttles Blue Point (Ire) to Northwood Park in Victoria from Kildangan Stud in Co Kildare where his service fee has increased to €60,000 (AUD 98,880). That followed a stellar year in 2023 with a first northern crop that numbered 51 individual 2yo winners of 72 races.
Topping that list were Group 1 juveniles Big Evs (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint) and Rosallion (Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere). No freshman had doubled up at the elite level since Coolmore Stud legend Sadler’s Wells (USA) 35 years ago.
Blue Rocket is part-owned by John & Jenny Maas and Hamlin Bay’s Steve & Darryl Litton and she’s the first foal from Ascot-winning speed-machine Catherine Wheel (Rogano). The mare has a yearling colt by Blue Point plus a weanling colt by Shooting To Win.
Besides Catherine Wheel, Oakland Park owners Neville & Susan Duncan also supported Blue Point with Molto Allegro (Fast ‘n’ Famous) first-up in Australia and it paid off big-time when the resultant colt made $600,000 at last year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. Sold through the consignment from NSW-based Milburn Creek, he’s been named Blue Light Disco and is being trained by Ciaron Maher for a Halo Racing syndicate managed by Janice McKenna.
Oakland Park resident Sessions sired a winning treble at Ascot last Wednesday with Another Strike, Seeyouatthesession and Papavero Princess and the famed Yellow & Black Maltese Cross silks doubled up for Pearce Racing on Saturday after Lord Vampi (Playing God) closed the card in the Black Diamond Drilling Hcp (1400m).
