Trainer Bjorn Baker issued a passionate plea to owner John Singleton after Blue Door dominated the Group 3 $250,000 Heritage Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Blue Door executed a brilliant display of sustained speed to win convincingly in near track-record time, propelling her into contention for a slot in the lucrative Group 1 $20 million The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 17.
While John Singleton was not trackside for Blue Door’s victory, he can anticipate receiving calls from slot-holders keen to discuss his interest in The Everest.
It is understood that Newgate is keenly observing Blue Door, as she is a daughter of their highly sought-after young stallion, Stay Inside.
Blue Door, in only her fourth career start, achieved her second win to go with two placings, clearly possessing abundant natural speed as a filly.
“I tell you what no weight, weight-for-age, there is a race in three weeks – Singo you there?” Baker repeated.
“But that was exciting, she has always shown us a lot and we will see what happens.
“She would add a real dynamic to the race (Everest). She’s a very fast filly, she had to carry a bit more weight today, she has natural gate speed, she paraded great and is a filly on the rise.
“She set up a track record speed last time, you get them chasing and it could be an absolutely different story and with no weight, who knows?”
Blue Door has never competed beyond 1100m in her limited racing career, and Baker provided a witty response when questioned about her ability to handle 1200m.
“From 1100m to 1200m – Sir Edmund Hillary was getting to the final steps of The Everest and he got a bit tired but he found a way, it’s Kiwi trait. He was the first to climb Everest and he was a New Zealander,” Baker quipped.
Blue Door ($1.85 favourite) proved far too quick and superior for her rivals, winning by two-and-a-quarter lengths from Ciaron’s Star ($8), with Outspan ($41) finishing a length behind in third.
Champion jockey Nash Rawiller, who has partnered many of Singleton’s elite horses, most notably the outstanding mare More Joyous, will surely offer high praise to the owner when he reports back.
“Blue Door’s gifted, isn’t she! She’s just explosive,” Rawiller said.
“She has so much speed, it’s just harnessing it, I think. She’s too quick for her own good.
“It’s not very often you pull up and think, gee, this reminds me of a smaller version of More Joyous. I don’t know if it’s the colours of her, or just the long action but this filly is very exciting.”
Blue Door’s natural acceleration allowed her to take the lead early, and Rawiller was able to maintain a strong yet controlled tempo throughout the race.
“That’s her, though, she makes it look easy,” Rawiller said.
“Even though she makes it look easy, it’s a speed you can’t keep running, but she did a very good job today.
“She travelled well and with a couple of runs under her belt, she was really solid right to the line.”
Blue Door secured the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes on her sole start last season. She returned this campaign with consecutive second placings to Chilly Girl in the Listed The Rosebud and to Guest House in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes, before her dominant performance in the Heritage Stakes.
“She was very smooth and lovely to see John Singleton’s colours winning,” Baker said.
“John isn’t here but his family is, his daughter is here, and this filly is pretty special to him.
“I’m very lucky to train a very good, very fast filly – and she is exceptionally fast.”
The prospect of Blue Door in The Everest has the betting markets buzzing, with many online bookmakers offering competitive odds.