Bleu Roche impresses on debut

3 min read

Mornington trainer Matt Laurie is hoping for a case of second-time lucky with the progeny of Esprit De Bleu (USA) (Littleexpectations {USA}) after her filly Bleu Roche's (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) promising debut win in a maiden at Sale on Sunday.

Laurie paid $230,000 for Bleu Roche at the 2017 Inglis Classic Sale after the promise her three-quarter brother Scudtime (Smart Missile {Aus}) showed before things went awry.

Laurie had bought Scudtime at the 2016 Classic Sale for $60,000 and rated him very highly before things went wrong at his very first start.

"I actually bought her off the back of a Smart Missile I bought, which was a three-quarter brother a couple of years ago and he only had the one start before turning into a wobbler," Laurie said after the filly's win.

Bleu roche was a $60,000 Inglis Classic purchase

"He looked like a group horse to me, so we went and bought the sister and she looks pretty handy."

"I thought if we found the right race, she'd be a good thing." - Matt Laurie on Bleu Roche

Bleu Roche sat midfield on debut before unleashing a strong finish to down another first-starter Olive {All To Hard {Aus}), with the highly rated Master Rock (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) finishing third.

Laurie was glad to have kicked her off with a win in what should prove a strong maiden and has better races in mind for her down the track.

"We like her. She showed us plenty last preparation, she just needed time," he said. "She's come back and had two nice trials and I thought if we found the right race, she'd be a good thing."

"Hopefully we’ll get an opportunity to put her in some decent races. She'll tell us what we can and can’t do. She's got nice natural ability, she's got plenty of natural improvement to come."

She is the second winner from American mare Esprit De Bleu, who is a half-sister to Listed winner Rockin The Bleu’s (Rockport Harbor {USA}) and stakes-placed Bleu Moon Magic (Zanjero {USA})

Esprit De Bleu was purchased for $47,500 by Glastonbury Farm from Newgate Farm at the 2016 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale having been sold two years earlier for $140,000 when in foal with Scudtime.

Bleu Roche is by Coolmore sire, Fastnet Rock

Bleu Roche was not the only impressive debutant on Sunday at Sale with Tarwin (Americain {USA}) winning over 1400m in his first start for Mick Kent.

The home-bred is out of Clandon (Brief Truce {USA}) and is a half-sister to Kent's promising mare Abinger (Teofilo {Ire}).

Darren Weir's Amphitrite (Sebring {Aus}) produced a stunning last-to-first finish in the opening race of the day, a 1200m maiden, and also looks headed for much better things.

She was a $50,000 buy at the Adelaide Magic Millions sale out of Ocean Dream, who is a half-sister to G1 winner Marble Halls as well as Tigereye, who is the dam of Blue Diamond winner Sleek Chassis.