Written by Paul Vettise
Inside knowledge of the family of Bleu Roche (Fastnet Rock) prompted Matt Laurie to go out on a limb to purchase the filly and he’s had no cause to regret that move.
The Mornington conditioner went to $230,000 to secure her at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and the now 3-year-old will attempt to add to her black type tally when she runs in Friday night’s G3 Crown Resorts Typhoon Tracy S. at Moonee Valley.
“I basically bought her on spec, although I had an idea of who might come in but without any firm commitments at the time,” Laurie said.
Bleu Roche pictured as a yearling
“We broke her up among stable clients and I had bought her three-quarter brother Scudtime the year before.
“We broke her up among stable clients and I had bought her three-quarter brother Scudtime the year before.” – Matt Laurie.
“He showed a lot of ability and I was very excited about him. He had one run at the Valley and didn’t have a lot of luck and then I popped him out.
“Unfortunately, he showed signs of being a wobbler. From what he had showed me before that I was confident he was a Group 1 horse.
“I had to get her (Bleu Roche) and from a story that wasn’t so good to begin with, it’s looking pretty good now.”
“From what he had showed me before that I was confident he was a Group 1 horse.” – Matt Laurie.
Bleu Roche after winning the G3 Roses S. at Flemington.
Bleu Roche was a debut winner at Sale last spring and followed up with a second placing before she finished fourth in the G3 Australia S. She was then given a break after winning the G3 Roses S. at Flemington.
The filly resumed earlier this month at Moonee Valley where she ran second after an interrupted run. Ben Melham has ridden her in her last three starts and continues his association on Friday evening.
“Obviously, it would have been nice to kick off with a win but she didn’t have a lot of luck,” Laurie said.
“When she did get out she hit the line strongly so it was a very good first-up run. She has come through it very well and she’s going back to the Valley in good shape.
“She has come through it very well and she’s going back to the Valley in good shape.” – Matt Laurie.
“She’s got a lot of talent and I’m looking forward to some better races with her.”
Laurie has a few travel options in mind for Bleu Roche, as long as she’s performing up to expectations.
“If she goes well in her next couple of runs we might take her to Sydney for the G3 PJ Bell S.,” he said. “We’ll also give strong consideration to Adelaide.”
Laurie has an eye on a tilt at the G1 Robert Sangster S. at Morphettville on May 4.
“She’d have to be going really well to throw her into that sort of race. I think she’s up to that level, it’s more a matter of when,” he said.
“We’ll also give strong consideration to Adelaide.” – Matt Laurie.
Bleu Roche
Bleu Roche is a daughter of Esprit De Bleu (USA) (Littleexpectations {USA}), a 2-year-old stakes winner in her native land and from a well-performed North American black type family.
Laurie also has high hopes for another in-form filly at Moonee Valley in the form of Algadon Miss (Equiano {Fr}). She is unbeaten in two appearances from the stable with apprentice Chelsea Hall retaining the ride
“I got her by default really. I bought a Toronado horse at the sales called Prince Of Sussex and he goes alright,” he said.
“The people that bred him stayed in and they asked if I’d take his half-sister Algadon Miss.” – Matt Laurie.
“The people that bred him stayed in and they asked if I’d take his half-sister Algadon Miss.”
She made an instant impact for Laurie when she broke her maiden at Cranbourne in January and then won a Benchmark 64 at Moonee Valley earlier this month.
Her dam Il Diamante (Testa Rossa) was successful as a 2-year-old and is a half-sister to the G3 Summer Cup winner Montauk (More Than Ready {USA}) and the family of the Group 1 winner and producer Charge Forward (Red Ransom {USA}).
